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Will Telemedicine Ever Overtake Traditional Health Care?

Medical advancements are happening all the time. At this very moment, teams of scientists and researchers all over the world are hard at work, attempting to find treatments and cures for a number of malicious diseases. While nobody knows how far off we are from curing cancer, the most devastating, prevalent disease of them all, we are certainly close to finding remedies for long-time afflictions like Alzheimer’s, or at least slowing them down considerably. Like many other industries in 2018, the medical field is constantly in flux, developing all the time. One of the most exciting developments to emerge in recent years is telemedicine, a movement that digitizes health care, making it more accessible for both patients and doctors. But as telemedicine usage increases, will it ever overtake tried-and-tested, traditional health care?

When we talk about telemedicine, the first thing to remember is that it isn’t actually some new-fangled initiative. It actually dates back decades, to the 60s – and if you think about it that way, the name ‘telemedicine’ does sound like something older rather then modern. It was initially a way for doctors to communicate with remote patients via telecommunications, without the need to see them at home; the practice was considered an outlier service for many years, only being used sporadically. However, with the recent advent of digital technology, telecommunications came back with a bang. Not only was remote communication now all the rage, it could actually be instilled in a meaningful way for patients and doctors alike.

Divan Medical - Medical Document and Stethoscope

Telemedicine is a perfect addition to the current array of digital advancements, and has already seen significant application in the field.

The name telemedicine is still used, but in practice it’s actually more like health care on-demand. In fact, the new form of telemedicine bears very little resemblance to the old. It also utilizes a number of digital technologies, not just telecommunications, to bring health care to a wide array of patients all over the world. Many industries have been bolstered by an on-demand type of service; Netflix and other on-demand platforms have dominated traditional TV, almost to the point of extinction, and people are much happier because of it. CDs are a rarity these days, as Spotify and music streaming platforms have assumed control of that particular industry. It’s clear we are moving towards a more fluid, connected society, where the traditional barriers between consumer and service are coming down. Telemedicine is a perfect addition to this array of digital advancements, and has already seen significant application in the field.

Telemedicine is aiding patients in a number of varied ways. Some examples of this can be found in the prescription of medical marijuana, which can now be obtained (in MMJ-legal states) over the internet from outlets like MMJ Recs. The situation is similar when it comes to emotional support animals; this progressive new therapy for mental health patients involves easing the symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder with the presence of an animal, who serves as a companion and consistent source of comfort for the patients. To register as an ESA owner, you need a verified document from a medical professional, known as an ESA letter. This can also be procured via telemedicine, from a site like Moosh, making it easier for patients to avail of this service from the comfort of their home.

Divan Medical - ESA Dog

Emotional support animals are a progressive new therapy for mental health patients.

The benefits of telemedicine are many and obvious. But the real question here is: will telemedicine ever overtake traditional, face-to-face health care? In short, the answer is no. Traditional health care is invaluable to patients and doctors, and nothing will likely ever replace face-to-face consultations; they are the best way for a doctor to appraise their patient’s state and the disorder they’re affected by, and it will remain that way for the foreseeable future. It is impossible to provide telemedicinal healthcare for every type of ailment; the more serious ones invariably (and sometimes inevitably) involve surgery and other physical interventions that telemedicine, in its current state, just can’t match.

It is best, then, to see telemedicine as an extremely valuable health care tool, rather than a usurper to the traditional health care system. It is designed to work hand-in-hand with physical consultations, not to replace them fully, and while it holds many advantages over them, it is still only a method to optimize patient care, not overhaul it completely. Telemedicine is a lifesaver for patients living remotely; via only an internet connection and a device, it allows them to contact a health care professional and have any worrying symptoms checked out immediately. It also grants patients better access to specialists; previously, if you lived in a rural area, there would usually be only one or two specialists in close proximity at your disposal. With the advent of telemedicine, a whole spectrum of specialists become available to patients, no matter where they are in the world.

Although we’re all still learning the ropes when it comes to digital technology, it’s apparent that it’s here to stay. Telemedicine provides a way of integrating this developing field with traditional health care. By taking the best of both worlds to create a new health care structure, the future looks bright for patients.

The 5 Biggest Advantages of Telemedicine in 2018

Telemedicine in 2018 is an ever-changing landscape. Like most of the digital revolution, the change is fluid, rapid, and seismic. Telemedicine has already revolutionized the way patients and medical staff react and respond to health care at large, and it looks set to do so for many years to come. But when it comes to the here and now, what ways are patients benefiting from the telemedicine revolution? With 2018 almost halfway through, what are the advantages that patients and doctors alike are enjoying right now?

Divan Medical - Doctor's Jacket

Telemedicine provides an opportunity for patients in remote or rural areas to access premium level health care.

1. More Access to Care

Hospitals in the U.S. are routinely understaffed, leading to long wait times for patients who require access to specialists. This is not just an American issue, but a problem that routinely crops up all over the world. Telemedicine provides an opportunity to keep waiting room numbers down, leading to more streamlined care for both online and physical patients, and a more focused workload for doctors, who can then be more attentive towards their specific list of patients. Telemedicine also provides an opportunity for patients in remote or rural areas to access premium-level health care without committing a huge chunk of their time or resources. Overall, this will invigorate rural medicinal practice, providing these previously sidelined patients with a direct and instantaneous line to the health care they need.

2. A Wider Choice of Specialists

Whether a prospective patient lives in a rural or urban area, they are usually limited in the number of specialists they can see. A specialist is required in the majority of moderate to severe health cases, as general practitioners (or family doctors) generally act as a gateway, or initial diagnostic tool, to these more specific health care professionals. However, previously patients weren’t really afforded a choice of specialists; they were merely designated one and directed to see them. In more populous cities the situation is a little different, and patients can have more of a say in who they are referred to. But in general, you get what you’re given, especially if you live in a rural location with a slim number of specialists in the surrounding area. Telemedicine has changed this for the better; once your family doctor informs you what type of specialist you need to see concerning your condition, you can utilize telemedicine to locate and consult with the best specialist for your needs. This allows patients more freedom and choice when it comes to their treatment, and ultimately provides them with the best treatment possible.

3. Health Care on Demand

Many industries are turning to on-demand services with the advent of digital technology, so it’s no surprise that health care isn’t far behind them. While health care isn’t as simple as entertainment, where it’s simply a case of selecting the show or film you want from the Netflix library, there are a number of ways that telemedicine can help patients with their conditions. Patients can order prescriptions online and save the hassle of going to pick them up every time they require a new dosage. They can also apply for a medical marijuana card through sites like MMJ Recs, and benefit from the healing properties of MMJ in the states in which it’s legal. Emotional support animals are a major progressive treatment that helps to combat symptoms of widespread mental health disorders; to avail of an ESA, a patient requires a verified ESA letter, which can also be obtained via telemedicinal sites like Moosh. These are just a few examples of the way patients can benefit from new treatments from the comfort of their own home.

Divan Medical - MMJ

Patients can apply for a medical marijuana card through sites like MMJ Recs.

4. Lower Number of Readmissions

Patients with acute health issues are often readmitted to hospital, leading to a large number of patients being reintroduced to the system time and time again, despite knowing what their affliction is and exactly how to treat it. Research has shown that telemedicine significantly cuts down on these readmissions, improving patient workflow for medical staff, and decreasing the amount of stress and procedure that the patients themselves have to endure. As telemedicine advances, it’s likely that this statistic will reduce further, as readmitted patients will likely have a treatment plan laid out for them entirely over telemedicine. While we may be some way off that yet, it’s certainly something to look forward to in the future.

5. It Saves Money and Time

Everyone knows health care is expensive, whatever ailment you’re experiencing; unfortunately, this is par for the course all over the country. Telemedicine, however, is helping to reduce health care costs, and saving patients a lot of time in the process. Patients no longer need to travel to visit their doctor; they can consult with them on their own time and from the comfort of their own homes. This also significantly helps doctors, who can take on more patients, and cut costs on admin and paperwork simultaneously. The result is a cheaper, more productive health care initiative for both patients and doctors alike.

The Rise of Telemedicine Psychiatry Platforms

Telemedicine is currently the hot topic in the medical field, and its rise to prominence has ushered in a new era of patient care. Anyone who’s followed the ascent and subsequent domination of digital platforms across various industries should not be surprised at this trend; Amazon did it first in the retail space, while Netflix practically dismantled terrestrial television in a matter of a few years. Telemedicine, while not a company like the previous two examples, is nevertheless still revolutionizing the medical industry in the digital age. The movement started in the 1960s, when doctors introduced patient care via telephones (hence the ‘tele’ prefix of the title). However, in 2018, medical professionals have a wide array of devices and platforms to choose from, which can aid with both regular telemedicine and telemedicine psychiatry.

Back when it was introduced, telemedicine was only designed to help remote patients with physical problems. However, as it has evolved throughout the decades, practitioners have seen the beneficial effects it can have on psychiatry patients, too. In the 1960s, there was much stigma surrounding mental health, so it’s unsurprising that telemedicine never developed to incorporate it. Over the last few decades, though, there has been sustained and invigorated interest around mental health and mental health issues, and the thick fog of stigma is slowly lifting. This has allowed companies to take advantage of telemedicine as a platform, and deliver world-class mental health therapy to patients around the country.

Divan Medical - Laptop Video Call

Telemedicine psychiatry removes initial patient barriers very effectively.

Telemedicine psychiatry, or telepsychiatry for short, can be utilized through a number of different devices, but it’s chiefly communicated via smartphones, tablets, and laptops/desktop computers. This immediately takes some of the intimidation away from the process, and helps the potential patient feel completely at home; mainly because they are at home! We all have preconceived notions of what psychiatry offices look and sound like, so some of us can be hesitant to admit we may be suffering and fully engage with the process. Telemedicine psychiatry removes those initial barriers very effectively.

Doctors have argued that, in some cases, connecting with a patient via a video link into the their home is actually preferable to meeting them in person at an office. It allows the doctor to see inside the patient’s personal life, and get a sense of them in their own environment. This is sometimes hard to ascertain in traditional doctor-patient meetings, as mental health is a tricky area to diagnose correctly; there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan. Patients can react differently depending on their surroundings, and it’s normal for a patient to be overly anxious, cautious, or defensive when they first encounter a psychiatrist. Using a video link platform, the psychiatrist can immediately glean information that may have taken up weeks or months of their time to uncover through in-person appointments.

It’s important to point out that these video sessions aren’t just conducted over consumer services like Skype or FaceTime. Companies have been busy developing specific telepsychiatry platforms to best facilitate doctor-patient appointments, and there are a number of different options available. Most of these services introduce and execute a full-on patient plan, with continued care and careful monitoring of the patient for an extended duration of time. Many doctors have already praised telemedicine for its diagnostic benefits; it allows health professionals to keep a closer eye on patients, despite seeing them remotely, as they can work together with the patient to monitor symptoms, and have instant access to that information.

Divan Medical - Woman Suffering From Mental Health Issues

Mental health is a tricky area to diagnose correctly; there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan.

Telemedicine psychiatry has other utilities too. While it’s predominantly useful for patients looking to schedule appointments, it can also act as a useful middleman for certain psychiatric services. One prime example of this is emotional support animals, or ESAs for short. This new form of progressive therapy involves utilizing the constant presence and companionship of a pet to tackle the debilitating symptoms of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bi-polar disorder. The treatment has been wildly successful and has gained much traction in the U.S. with both patients and doctors alike. The key to availing of your own ESA is to have something called an ESA letter, which is a verified document from a medical professional confirming your need of an emotional support animal. Thanks to telemedicine, these are easier than ever to obtain; through sites like Moosh, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home and partner up with your ESA in no time at all.

It’s clear that telemedicine is changing the face of health care in the 21st century, for both physical ailments and psychological ones. While telepsychiatry is a few steps behind, there are major initiatives going on behind the scenes to bring on-demand mental health care to the masses. In due course, people will be able to manage and balance their mental health demands through a variety of platforms, be it cognitive behavioral therapy apps, or regular video appointments with their psychologists. The future certainly looks bright for telemedicine psychiatry.

How Telemedicine Can Improve Your Mental Health

You might not have heard of telemedicine, but this bold new way of treating patients is currently taking the health care world by storm. Even though the idea behind the incentive is an old one, it’s found a new way to blossom in the contemporary world thanks to the advent of digital technology. Initially designed to help patients who lived far away from a doctor or were incapacitated some way and couldn’t get to see them, telemedicine utilised, as the title suggests, telecommunications. Back in the 1960s when the concept was first introduced, phones were the only method that doctors could use to contact remote patients. But in 2018, there are many more tools at doctors’ and patients’ disposal. As a result, telemedicine is revolutionizing the health care industry, for both clinical doctors’ visits and telemedicine psychiatry.

The main focal point of telemedicine has not changed; it helps doctors connect with remote patients and those with limited mobility. However, thanks to modern technology, there are many more benefits to using telemedicine than simply remote access. It allows patients to connect with their doctors instantaneously, saving both parties time and money. Worrying symptoms can be checked up on immediately, and doctors are better able to monitor their patients through a number of diagnostic tools. Also, there’s better access to specialists, and a wider selection of options for patients who may have previously been limited in scope of choice. But while this is all very clear-cut for patients dealing with physical disorders, when it comes to psychotherapy, can telemedicine have the same impact?

Divan - Mental Health Scrabble

Mental disorders are much harder to diagnose than physical ones.

The arena of mental health has changed a lot since the 1960s, when telemedicine was first introduced. We undoubtedly have a better understanding and a more empathetic view of many psychological conditions in 2018, but in many ways, it remains a difficult area to treat. While the stigma around mental health is also being lifted, there is still some that surrounds the diagnosis of some conditions, meaning potential patients aren’t as likely to come forward to doctors as they might be with a physical ailment. Despite this, thousands of people across the U.S. routinely visit psychiatrists for a variety of disorders. So naturally, it makes sense that the emerging field of telemedicine psychiatry can aid and improve mental health across the country.

The first thing that telemedicine psychiatry can help with is removing the gravitas from mental health. Many people could benefit from seeing a psychiatrist at some point in their lives, but they don’t want to go through the hassle of setting up an appointment, and thereby admitting to themselves they might be suffering from a mental disorder. This is a direct result of the stigma around mental health issues, which has been prevalent all over the world for many years. Telemedicine psychiatry can help potential patients ease into treatment; they will feel far more relaxed and reassured if they can conduct the initial discussions with their chosen doctor from the comfort of their own home. Admitting you may be suffering from a mental disorder and all that comes with that can be intimidating; telemedicine can be a great way to make the process less of an event, and help you get the care you need.

Telemedicine can help in other ways too. It might be that a patient is too overwhelmed by anxiety or depression to leave their house. Maybe they just can’t face going to a doctor or psychiatrist’s office. Again, telemedicine psychology can help by bringing them specialist care from the safety and comfort of their own home. It also provides patients with a wide range of options; you’re not just limited to the specialists in your local area. You can select from a wide range of psychiatrists who specialize in many different fields. This mechanism can help patients discover the right doctor for them, instead of having to settle for the handful who are within driving distance from their home.

Divan - Woman with Cat

An ESA can help reduce symptoms of common mental health disorders.

Telemedicine is also helpful in the field of emotional support animals, or ESAs for short. This popular new mental health treatment involves utilizing regular pets with no specific training as a way of providing support for those suffering from a wide variety of mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The key to getting an ESA is a emotional support animal letter, which must be prescribed from a mental health professional. Again, this might seem like a daunting task for those who are intimidated by the mental health field, but through sites like Moosh, which guide patients through the process of procuring an ESA letter from their home, telemedicine is making a positive impact on people’s lives.

The field of psychiatry is still evolving; mental health professionals are doing their best to remove the stigma from the field, and encourage patients to see a specialist when they’re feeling vulnerable. Unlike physical disorders, mental afflictions can be very hard to quantify. Telemedicine psychiatry is an invaluable tool that can make the fight for mental health easier across the world.

Is Telemedicine Psychiatry As Progressive As Clinical Telemedicine?

Telemedicine is a brand-new, progressive form of health care currently taking the country by storm. In the age of digital technology, where the internet has expanded into almost every conceivable industry, it makes sense that the gigantic health sector couldn’t be far behind. And in fact, it wasn’t far behind at all; it was actually way ahead of the curve. If you’re just hearing about it now, telemedicine might seem like a brand new initiative, but its inception actually dates back decades, to the 1960s. Back then, of course, there was no internet, but the fundamental ideas behind telemedicine remain the same today. Mental health is a big part of today’s health care industry and the discussions around it – much bigger than it was five decades ago. As telemedicine advances into a new era, the question remains: is telemedicine psychiatry as progressive as clinical telemedicine?

Initially, telemedicine got its name because it allowed patients to consult with doctors remotely, via telephones. The basis of the practise is still intact today, and telecommunications are still used to connect health care professionals with long-distance patients; however, in 2018, most of this is done via smartphone and other electronic devices like tablets and laptops, which have been successfully integrated into our professional and personal lives. Patients can now consult with doctors and specialists in their own time, no mater where they are in the world. If a patient has a worrying symptom that they want checked out straight away, all they need to do is pick up their phone, and within seconds they can be connected with a doctor and well on their way to easing their minds, or getting it checked out further if necessary.

Divan Medical - Mental Health Latptop

Telemedicine psychiatry can be remarkably effective.

The process is pretty clear-cut when it comes to physical afflictions, as there is usually one set, defined course for treatment. Telemedicine can also provide patients with a broader option of specialists from around the country, as opposed to being forced onto a waiting list for a local specialist you may or may not be fully confident with. But as with all aspects of health care, there are a different set of procedures when it comes to mental health. Psychiatry and the treatment of mental disorders are extremely hard to define, and unlike most physical conditions, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment available for patients. So how exactly can telemedicine psychiatry help those in need of mental health treatment?

Well, one initiative that is seeing increasing use within the psychiatric community is the use of emotional support animals, or ESA for short. These are animals who function similarly to regular pets, and require no specific training for their role: being continually present as a source of comfort and companionship for their mentally afflicted owners. Studies have proven that the presence of an animal can help alleviate the most oppressive symptoms of common disorders like depression, anxiety, PTSD, autism, and bipolar disorder, with the treatment gaining serious traction within the last few years. To qualify for an ESA, the patient requires an emotional support animal letter, or ESA letter, from a verified medical professional, qualifying their condition and validating their pet as an emotional support animal. This crucial document then allows patients and their pets to avail of special laws like the Air Carrier Access Act (which allows ESAs on planes) and the Fair Housing Act (which allows ESAs to live in rented accommodation).

Divan Medical - ESA Dog

Emotional support animals are becoming a popular treatment option in the field of mental health.

But how exactly does telemedicine psychiatry fit into the ESA initiative? Quite nicely, actually; through sites like Moosh, patients can apply for their ESA letter online, and be vetted and approved for an emotional support animal in a very short space of time. This is especially pertinent if a patient has crippling anxiety or overwhelming depression, and can’t face leaving the house for a long period of time. For patients like this, telemedicine is a lifeline, as they’re able to begin and conduct their treatment from the comfort of their own home, in their own time. The process of getting an ESA letter may seem intimidating and potentially probing; however, by utilizing telemedicine sites like Moosh, it can be a simple, straightforward procedure, leaving the patient with little to worry about.

You can also confer regularly with psychologists over Skype, FaceTime, or any other app that allows people to talk face-to-face. This provides patients with the benefit of convenient consultation with their mental health specialists, without sacrificing the intimacy of the conversation. Previously, neither psychologist or patient would be happy conversing over the phone; these days, with the help of telemedicine, they can go a step further while still availing of the benefits of digital technology. It’s clear from all these advances that telemedicine is having a huge effect on the health care industry, across all sectors. It’s making health care cheaper and more convenient for patients and doctors alike, and as it continues to ascend, it’s sure to advance both the physical and the psychological fields of medicine.

How Telemedicine Helps Patients Renting With Emotional Support Animals

Telemedicine is the next big movement in health care. The practice has already made strides to revolutionize the complicated and burgeoning health sector in America, though it still has a long way to go. Despite this, many people in America might be wondering just how it has helped the health care system, and even what exactly telemedicine is. Essentially, telemedicine is the practice of delivering health care, mostly in the form of clinical appointments, via telecommunications or digital communications. Originally, the term was solely used to describe the former; however, with the rise of digital technology, it now encompasses primarily the latter. Telemedicine is advantageous to many forms of treatment, but when you pair it with an equal progressive treatment measure like emotional support animals, you can really see how effective it is.

Emotional support animals (or ESAs for short) are a new wave of therapy for patients afflicted with the most common forms of mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. They take the form of pets, and require no specific training or guidelines to aid their owner; instead, they help calm the symptoms of the above disorders with their continued presence in their owner’s life. Emotional support animals can be an already-owned pet who is given ESA status, or they can be a completely new animal. Any species counts as an ESA; it’s entirely down to what sort of pet makes the patient feel calm, secure, and reassured. Despite this, as with normal pets, emotional support animals are overwhelmingly dogs and cats.

DIVAN - Dog on Two legs

With emotional support animals becoming more popular, many people are utilizing telemedicine to avail of this alternative therapy.

ESAs are prescribed via the means of an important document called an emotional support animal letter (or ESA letter). This is given to the patient by a certified medical professional, and allows them (and by extension their ESA) to avail of a number of laws designed to help disabled people. Some people might be concerned about procuring this letter, but fortunately, telemedicine can actually play a crucial part in obtaining this important document. Through telemedicine sites like Moosh, patients suffering from a wide variety of mental disorders can be assessed online, and receive their ESA letter without ever having to visit a doctor in person.

This is beneficial in a number of ways. ESAs aren’t governed by the same laws as normal pets; due to their status as essentially a form of psychiatric treatment, they are allowed to accompany their owners to places other pets would usually not be allowed to venture. The two prime examples of this are airplane cabins, which are covered by the Air Carrier Access Act, and rented accommodation, which falls under the Fair Housing Act. Although these laws weren’t designed specifically with emotional support animals in mind, they cover a whole host of disorders and disabilities; their main function is to call a halt to any form of discrimination.

Unfortunately, many landlords and property owners don’t necessarily know the ins and outs of emotional support animals, as they are a relatively new phenomenon in the world of mental treatment. This is why the ESA letter is so important, and so necessary when either attempting to rent property with an ESA in tow, or bringing an ESA into a property you’re already renting. With this simple document, the landlord must accept you and your ESA, and if they try to discriminate against you, they can be punished by law. All the patient has to make sure of is that the letter is in date; typically an ESA letter is valid for one year. An out-of-date letter is null and void, and your landlord would then have legal grounds to refuse to rent to you.

DIVAN - Smartphone and Stethoscope

Getting an ESA letter using telemedicine has never been easier.

Fortunately, the process of obtaining an emotional support animal letter is simple, especially when you use telemedicine. If you’re anxious about the process of retrieving one in person, then availing of telemedicinal services is the best course of action; it can save you time, stress, and money. You can also renew your letter via the same means, making sure you’re up to date and covered by the various laws. It’s important to remember to do this, as if you let it slip, you and your ESA might be vulnerable. Fortunately, the process of renewing your letter is as easy as getting it in the first place. Utilizing telemedicine can make this particular area of progressive health care a breeze, leaving you to enjoy your new life with your emotional support animal.

Telemedicine is helping patients up and down the country save time, money, and effort with their health care. The implementation of ESAs is only one area where the new movement is proving hugely beneficial. As the months and years roll on, telemedicine will no doubt become a bigger and bigger part of our society as technology advances, and digital tools become integrated further into our day-to-day lives. The future is bright!

How Telemedicine Is Revolutionizing Support For ESA Owners

The increased availability and popularity of telemedicine services across the United States is great news for many people and groups. It is a particularly good development for emotional support animal patients. Over the last few years telemedicine has truly revolutionized support for ESA owners, as well people who wish to become ESA owners. It is a very exciting time to be an emotional support animal patient!

Let’s talk about some of the ways in which telemedicine is making it easier than ever before to become an ESA owner and enjoy the wonderful benefits emotional support pet ownership brings.

Telemedicine refers to any type of medicine or medical consultation that is done remotely using modern communications technology. Communication between a health care professional and a patient via smartphone, tablet, laptop, or any other type of mobile device (usually using the internet) is called telemedicine. Super-fast broadband and highly powerful modern computer technology have made it easer than ever before for a patient and their health care provider (who can now be located anywhere in the entire country, or even abroad) to have fast, reliable, high-fidelity, and secure consultations.

Telemedicine brings a whole host of benefits to emotional support animal patients. For those of you who are still in the dark about this health care phenomenon, an ESA is an animal companion that provides company, friendship, love, and a calming influence to a patient who suffers from some form of mental illness. Many different psychological conditions qualify a person to become an emotional support animal owner. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, phobias (such as fear of flying), chronic stress, acute loneliness, or even suicidal thoughts are mental health conditions that qualify a person to become an emotional support pet owner. ESAs have special rights under American federal law. A certified ESA can live with its owner in rental accommodation that is otherwise “no pets allowed.” It can also travel with its owner in the cabin of a commercial airplane. In order to become an emotional support animal owner, a patient needs to get a letter from a registered mental health professional stating that the patient would benefit from owning an emotional support pet.

Divan Medical - emotional support dog

There are so many benefits to emotional support animals, and thanks to telemedicine, more and more people are able to experience these benefits.

An emotional support animal letter can be acquired by doing a consultation with a registered mental health practitioner, such as Moosh, online or over the phone. For many people, due to their specific life circumstances, getting their ESA letter via a telemedicine consultation is a much easier and better option than going through the time-consuming rigmarole of attending a practitioner’s office in-person.

Getting an emotional support animal letter after having a telemedicine consultation is much easier for the many ESA patients who live in remote parts of the country. For some people, getting to their nearest mental health practitioner requires a long journey by road or even by plane. From some very remote places, a journey to visit a health care provider in person could take an entire day or more. Telemedicine is a lifesaver for these patients.

Some ESA patients also suffer from mobility issues, either relating to their mental illness or not. Many people who suffer with PTSD are also amputees or otherwise long-term disabled. These folks, even with the use of a disabled parking permit, can often still find getting around pretty difficult. For these people, being able to do their ESA consultation over the phone or online is a godsend.

For people whose local mental health practitioner is very busy and has a long waiting list, it can also be a much quicker process to get their support pet consultation done using telemedicine.

Divan Medical - woman with ESA cat

Getting a certified support pet has never been easier than in today’s age of technology and telemedicine.

Some folks are just a little bit picky about who they want to discuss their mental health problems with. If they live in a small town in which “everybody knows everybody,” they may prefer the increased privacy and anonymity that comes with consulting with a mental health professional in a separate and distant area via telemedicine.

For a great many ESA patients, it’s really just a matter of saving time. In the modern world a lot of us have very busy schedules, and if we can get a telemedicine consultation – that would usually take a few hours in person – done in 20 minutes online, that is a huge help and a service well worth seeking.

It is also possible to have a consultation with a vet using telemedicine, and for pretty much all of the reasons we’ve just stated (distance issues, more choice, time saving), many ESA patients find it more convenient to use telemedicine for their emotional pet’s veterinary needs.

So it certainly is the case that telemedicine is revolutionizing support for ESA patients. In so many ways, telemedicine is making life much easier for ESA owners, and their pets!

Can I Use Telemedicine to Get an Emotional Support Animal?

Emotional support animals, or ESAs, are often misunderstood in the media, but the truth is that they are an essential tool that can help people lessen the symptoms of their emotional or psychological conditions. Some people mistakenly feel that an emotional support animal is just a glorified pet, but these creatures can actually help to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and panic attacks. The truth is that as well as being pets, emotional support animals offer a unique form of support to their owners that allows them to live their best possible lives.

The problem with getting treatment from an emotional support animal is that many people who would benefit from them are self-conscious about seeking treatment and are unsure of the best people to speak to in order to get their pets certified. The good news is that, thanks to telemedicine, the process has never been easier.

Telemedicine is the process of delivering health or diagnostic advice through telecommunications technology. While it is experiencing a boom now through the advent of smartphones, it has been used in many guises since telecommunications has been invented. Thanks to smartphones, more and more patients are using telecommunications to access excellent health care, often at more convenience and at more affordable prices.

Divan Medical - emotional support cat

Emotional support animals can be an amazing form of therapy and treatment for people with emotional disorders.

So, how can you use telemedicine to get an emotional support animal? Well, first you need to know how emotional support animals become certified. To qualify as an emotional support animal, your pet needs an official document called an emotional support animal letter. This can only be obtained from a qualified medical professional, but the good news is that telemedicine completely facilitates you getting your ESA letter.

The first step is that you either make an appointment or “drop in” to an online telemedicine clinic (such as Moosh). You may have to wait to see a doctor in a virtual waiting room, but once you’re in with a medical professional, it’s just like seeing a regular doctor in person. You will use the camera on your phone to speak to the doctor and explain why you need an emotional support animal. They will ask about your condition and how the pet supports you, and you’ll be given an opportunity to discuss the ways in which your pet could act as an emotional support animal and to get advice from the medical professional. Then, if you are deemed suitable, the doctor will provide you with an emotional support animal letter, which will act as a legal document for you to ensure that your emotional support animal receives protection under the law. The letter is signed, stamped, and dated and is valid for one year, so if you wish to continue to register your pet as an emotional support animal, you’ll need to have another appointment to renew your documentation.

There are so many perks to using telemedicine in this way, but the key advantage for many people with the conditions that can benefit most from ESAs is that it allows them to see a non-judgmental medical professional in a way that is convenient for them. Sometimes, medical professionals who are not as educated in emotional support animals can be overly judgmental about people seeking this treatment. In using telemedicine, it is much easier to seek out someone who specializes in this treatment and who is used to seeing and treating people just like you.

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In the new age of telemedicine, it’s never been easier to get your pet certified as an emotional support animal.

If you suffer from a condition that makes it difficult for you to leave the house, it’s also very helpful that you can use telemedicine from the comfort of your own home. The paradox is that often, in getting an emotional support animal, you will feel less anxious and more able to leave the house and live a happy and fulfilled life, but your symptoms can often make it very difficult to get the documentation you need to properly access this treatment. When you get a telemedical appointment, you’ll be able to speak to someone openly and honestly from your own home, comfortable in the knowledge that they won’t judge you and they’ll be happy to give you the advice and documentation that you need.

You may already be getting the benefits of an emotional support animal from your regular pet, but if you have the documentation, you’ll be able to get benefits while traveling or renting a home that would not be open to you otherwise. In using telemedicine to access these benefits, you’re empowering yourself to take control of your own life and health with the help of telemedical professionals who want to make sure that patients get the chance to access the medical care that they need without any fear of judgment.

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