From the tranquil presence of nature to the warmth of local gatherings and the generalized affordability, rural Idaho has plenty to offer. The picturesque beauty of all that the land has to offer is just one of the reasons to settle down and build roots in the Idaho Panhandle.  

And now, as healthcare options grow and expand to aid communities out in the countryside, individuals are able to seek basic medical attention and assistance from the comfort of their own home, courtesy of telehealth advancements. 

Telehealth, also referred to as telemedicine, remote healthcare or virtual care, is an evolutionary tool utilized by healthcare professionals to deliver healthcare services remotely through the use of electronic communication technologies.   

“Telehealth provides access to resources and care for patients in rural areas or areas with provider shortages, improves efficiency without higher net costs, reduces patient travel and wait times, and allows for comparable or improved quality of care. Better access to care, convenience, and reduced stress with telehealth use also can increase patient satisfaction,” according to the Journal of Nurse Practitioners. 

Telehealth isn’t new, but has become more popular and advanced due to the COVID-19 pandemic — a 17,075% visit increase from 2019 to 2020, according to Idaho Department of Health and Welfare — because of its ability to assist patients without the need of regulations and the cost savings associated with it.  

Virtual appointments are vital for rural areas that don’t have the same resources as bigger suburbanized areas. In some areas of northern Idaho, it can take several hours just to get to a doctor’s appointment, let alone a specialty professional. In smaller communities with older populations, it may additionally be difficult to get to a health care facility.  

According to Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center, there are 58 facilities within 50 miles of Coeur d’Alene that offer telehealth services for primary care and 114 facilities that offer family medicine.  

A map of facilities that offer telehealth services can be found at https://findtelehealth.nrtrc.org/map.  

Aside from the benefit of seeing a doctor from your home, the cost of virtual care can also be viewed as a perk. Depending on your health care and insurance provider, telehealth can be cheaper than an in-person consultation by an estimated 50%, according to Solv Health, a telehealth care platform that assists patients in finding virtual healthcare in their community.  

Most health insurances cover telehealth services, or offer their own version of virtual care, with costs as low as $5.  

“Telemedicine has the potential to reduce American health care spending by decreasing problems like medication misuse, unnecessary emergency department visits, and prolonged hospitalizations,” according to JNP. 

Telehealth can be used for more than physical health, but mental health as well. For the same reasons an individual may feel uncomfortable attending a doctor’s appointment in-person, the option to meet with a therapist online is also available and often utilized in rural communities.  

Companies like Brightside provide a team of licensed therapists to patients, with services covered by most health insurance providers.   

Certainly, some conditions and needs do require in-person attention, and a virtual doctor can assist in determining the best course of action for an individual’s health.  

To get the most out of a telehealth appointment, health care officials recommend patients have a stable internet connection, are in a quiet, distraction free area and are prepared to be open and honest about medical history and symptoms.  

Virtual healthcare isn’t perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction for providing an opportunity to individuals in rural areas who seek medical or therapeutic attention.  

To make sure virtual care is the right step, individuals are encouraged to contact their health insurance provider and primary healthcare professional.