The healthcare industry greatly benefits from technological advances, and neurorehabilitation is no exception. The breakthrough of remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) has had a significant impact on the patient population most in need of accessible therapies. Through RTM, clinicians can better monitor patient care, make adjustments in therapy in real-time, provide timely feedback, and circumvent the need for costly and time-consuming in-person therapy visits.
Overcoming healthcare gaps
Access to healthcare and gaps in available care have been a talking point for years among clinicians, policymakers, and patients feeling the negative impact of lack of access. The disparity in care has been especially felt in rural areas and lower-income communities, where specialty therapeutic services may not be readily accessible.
The key benefits of virtual care in neurorehabilitation address the needs of modern clinicians and patients. First, it seeks to eliminate geographical barriers and economic disparity that keep people from receiving the care and therapy services that they need.
According to a McKinsey study, telehealth use has skyrocketed since the onset of the COVID pandemic, with a 17-fold rise from pre-pandemic levels. With RTM, therapies that were previously only available in person, such as stimulation and neuromodulation, can now be given through virtual means, seamlessly integrating into the patient’s care plan.
Through virtual neurorehabilitation, clinicians can also have more insight into their patient’s therapy journey. When there are changes in patient therapy needs or new data sets, clinicians can make adjustments in real-time and share insights with the rest of the patient’s care team — leading to better outcomes.
Reducing in-person visits and moving to RTM can also be a significant cost savings for patients and lower overhead costs for providers. According to the AMA, 60% of clinicians agree that virtual healthcare enables high-quality care, which leads to cost savings across the board.
Improved outcomes for patients are likely the biggest benefit of RTM. Virtual platforms can help clinicians better monitor patient status throughout the duration of their therapy. The goal of clinicians is to help patients avoid readmission to the hospital and get back to their daily lives, regaining as much neurological function as possible. Through virtual therapy access, patients stay more engaged with their therapy goals. Their chances of following through with doctor requests and completing their therapy increase, leading to better healing and quality of life.
Achieving the ultimate goal of accessibility and flexibility for patients and clinicians is transforming the neurotherapy landscape. When doctors can manage appointments more effectively, share insights with the patient’s entire care team, and monitor progress virtually, they can reduce the chances of chronic illness for patients and burnout for caregivers.
The future of RTM and virtual care
Virtual care is rapidly expanding, especially since its successful worldwide implementation during the pandemic. By integrating advanced technologies such as machine learning, AI, and remote diagnostics, clinicians are able to diagnose faster, make more accurate predictions, improve patient monitoring, and enhance overall care delivery.
According to McKinsey, $250 billion in US healthcare spending could shift to virtual care by 2025. RTM is set to become a significant part of that shift as more patients and clinicians realize the benefits of the technology. As virtual care and therapy adoption grows, it’s not about simply staying abreast of current trends but enduring high-quality patient care and sustainable healthcare for the future. We are entering an era of highly personalized healthcare, and RTM is the ultimate in personalized care. As technology and adoption continue to expand, innovations such as virtual neurorehabilitation are changing the way people receive care and improve their health.
Guillem Singla Buxarrais
Guillem Singla Buxarrais is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Neurofenix.
