Telemedical facilities are giving rural hospitals a way to help their non-urban patient population get the medical care they need. Rural hospitals are closing at a rate of around one facility per month since 2010, and with 14% of the US population living in rural areas, the need for adequate healthcare provision in rural areas is vital. Patients are living longer with chronic diseases now, so the demand for elderly care is only going to increase. Rural areas also need to accommodate a higher rate of elderly patients, which is 6% higher than in urban areas, who can be let down by inadequate rural hospitals. With the integration of telemedicine, rural hospitals are able to offer services far beyond their normal capabilities through remote access to physicians, remote prescriptions, and virtual guidance from specialists. Using high-tech equipment in-house for scans and exams, the data can be sent to remote physicians for virtual emergency support. The use of mobile devices has been growing rapidly over recent years, especially among younger people.
Telemedical facilities are giving rural hospitals a way to help their non-urban patient population get the medical care they need. Rural hospitals are closing at a rate of around one facility per month since 2010, and with 14% of the US population living in rural areas, the need for adequate healthcare provision in rural areas is vital. Rural areas also need to accommodate a higher rate of elderly patients, which is 6% higher than in urban areas, who can be let down by inadequate rural hospitals. With the integration of telemedicine, rural hospitals are able to offer services far beyond their normal capabilities through remote access to physicians, remote prescriptions, and virtual guidance from specialists. Using high-tech equipment in-house for scans and exams, the data can be sent to remote physicians for virtual emergency support. The use of mobile devices has been growing rapidly over recent years, especially among younger people.