Like other progressive health systems across the country, Spectrum Health is concentrated on transforming care and providing consumers with a customized experience. Two initiatives underway that underscore this focus are expanded offerings for virtual care and digital health through Spectrum Health’s telehealth program, MedNow, and advancing digital innovations.
By integrating video visits into Spectrum Health Medical Group’s medical care practices, we are expanding the way we look after patients who are chronically ill. Our direct-to-consumer telehealth program, which includes an app for virtual visits for patients with low-acuity conditions, is additionally that specializes in chronic disease management. In building upon the inspiration of MedNow, we are providing patients with chronic conditions direct and convenient access to their providers. In turn, providers are now ready to follow up and manage to look after their patients for chronic diseases, all while the patient remains reception.
Six in ten adults within the U.S. have a chronic disease. Four in ten adults have two or more of them. Chronic diseases like a heart condition, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability within the U.S. they're also the leading drivers of the nation’s $3.3 trillion in annual health care costs, consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With this heightened awareness of chronic diseases, the necessity for ongoing medical attention to manage them is bigger than ever. That’s why Spectrum Health has turned to telehealth as an intervention to effectively provide cost-effective education and care, while increasing patient engagement, provider efficiencies, and patient outcomes.
Spectrum Health designed its program to satisfy the requirements of chronic care patients by that specialize in three main principles to guide development: seamless technology, high personal touch, and an integrated approach. This model has led to early success. quite 1,000 patients with chronic conditions have participated during a video visit with one among 32 providers within the first year alone. So far, we've seen the best successes with patients who are being seen for medication checks, anxiety, depression, menopause or chronic pain.
Effortless technology has been the catalyst for adoption and usage among both patients and providers. Providers want tools that help them become more efficient in their daily practice.