A Beginner's Guide On telemedicine: how does it help patients?

Introduction

With the emergence of modern technology, one can safely affirm that we have analyzed every research area and have left no stone unturned. Countless individuals are discovering telemedicine and its importance in recent times, oblivious to the fact that this practice has been in existence since the 20th century.

But hey, better late than never!

Telemedicine enables medical practitioners to assess, identify, and treat patients from a distance.

Are you alone and confined to your house, unable to visit your doctor? Do you reside in a rural area distant from the nearest medical facility?

Then telemedicine is the way to go!

With the help of this revolutionary intervention, patients may acquire an early diagnosis without having to commute far off to the clinic and back. This way, one can save valuable time and money whilst receiving quality treatment from the comfort of their home.

We will discuss telemedicine in detail in this article, including its significance, how it differs from telehealth if telemedicine technology is superior to in-person visits and much more. Find out by reading on!

What Is Telemedicine?

Telemedicine is a practical approach for digitally consulting with a doctor through phone or video chat. You can easily connect with a doctor over the online platform, scheduling your appointment at a convenient time.

In the 1950s, physicians began experimenting with telemedicine technology to connect with patients. At the time, however, the video call option wasn't available, so patients were contacted over a landline instead.

Telemedicine consultations are conducted over video, where you and the doctor can see each other. The benefit of this is that you can show them your physical ailments.

Today, the telemedicine industry is evolving more quickly than ever. The availability and cost of basic telemedicine tools are expanding exponentially along with technology.

Telehealth: What Is The Difference?

Folks may be familiar with telehealth and telemedicine, which describe the same notions. Although these two platforms are comparable, they have different uses.

The primary distinction between the two is that telemedicine primarily refers to the remote exchange of medical information to enhance a patient's health.

Telehealth includes telemedicine and additional remote methods of exchanging health information, including administrative meetings, training sessions for medical professionals, and health education.

Physicians who practice telemedicine provide clinical services to patients. Through technology, patients may seek to visit a doctor and receive assistance for their physical ailments.

While telehealth is still active in the medical community, it is more focused on the administrative side of healthcare while looking for new methods to increase accessibility for digital health.

Here are a few brief illustrations:

Telehealth:

An application for public health warns users when a disease outbreak occurs.

Telemedicine:

A digital approach enables the transfer of images of a patient's rash or mole to a dermatologist for rapid diagnosis at a remote position.

How Does Telemedicine Help Patients?

Benefits of telemedicine abound. These are a few of them:

Easy Access To Specialists

Numerous online medical networks provide 24/7 access to various professionals without a scheduled appointment, day or night.

Reduced Cost

Even decent health insurance may make seeing a doctor or therapist costly. In general, telemedicine consultations are less expensive than in-person ones.

Medical Access For People In Rural Areas

There are many advantages to living in the country, but quick access to medical care isn't generally one of them. Telemedicine gives patients who reside far from the closest health care facility a rapid approach to consulting a doctor.

Reduced Exposure To Pathogens

Prolonged wait with other patients in doctor's offices can help transmit viruses like the flu and COVID-19. By staying at home, telemedicine prevents exposure to unwanted microbes and viruses.

Midnight Care For Infants And Children

Instead of relying solely on the internet, parents may use telemedicine services to immediately connect with medical practitioners who can answer questions, offer diagnoses, and even write prescriptions when required.

Doctors Are Encouraged To Stay Home

Numerous medical facilities have shut down or altered their hours because of the pandemic. Doctors may now securely treat patients from home thanks to virtual networks.

Online Therapy Sessions

Many people now find it challenging to have in-person therapy sessions because of COVID-19. People suffering from stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders can now begin receiving therapeutic care or continue receiving it thanks to telemedicine.

Reduced Anxiety

Put simply; many individuals dislike visiting the doctor. Without leaving home, you may obtain medical assistance and ask questions.

Diagnosis Through Telemedicine

One advantage of telemedicine technology is observing the patient and making a diagnosis. It's the same as meeting with your primary care physician. Many different types of medical treatments are provided using telemedicine, such as

1. Allergies
2. Bronchitis
3. Colds and Flu
4. Diarrhea
5. Infections
6. Insect Bites
7. Conjunctivitis
8. Rashes
9. Respiratory Infections
10. Sore Throats
11. Sprains & Strains
12. Bladder Infections
13. UTIs
14. Sports Injuries
15. Vomiting

While telemedicine offers numerous benefits, it's critical to remember that genuine medical emergencies must be referred to the hospital's emergency room.

Is Telemedicine As Good As An In-Person Visit?

Telemedicine refers to the capacity of medical practitioners to consult with patients via the phone or video from a distance. Despite being almost as old as telephones, this method has gained popularity during the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to the American Telemedicine Association (ATA), telemedicine visits are often just as effective as in-person visits in cases where they are appropriate. They could also cost less than in-person consultations.

A more recent analysis of data, completed in 2018, concluded that telemedicine sessions were often just as effective as an in-person visit. Patients often found a solution to their health problems within the first telemedicine session in 83% of cases.

Telemedicine is now more widely accepted thanks to advancements in technology and modifications to insurance reimbursement guidelines. As telemedicine has developed, professionals and patients have become increasingly accustomed to digital communication.

Future Of The Telemedicine Market

Despite being known for decades, telemedicine became prominent after the global Coronavirus pandemic. People were forced indoors by quarantine, societal standards forbade close contact, and our computers and mobile gadgets served as our only means of communication. It grew unsettling to enter hospitals and clinics.

Before 2020, not many people were familiar with telemedicine, and now, they are utilizing it all of a sudden. One obvious thing from this: The world was in dire need of this innovation!

As evidence that 'telemedicine' is the future, consider the following market trends:

1. According to market projections, the telemedicine industry will grow at a 19.3% CAGR from $45 billion in 2019 to $175 billion in 2026.
2. Currently, around 1 in 5 doctors use telemedicine to provide treatment.
3. According to 71% of telehealth practitioners, virtual consultations are less expensive for patients.
4. Only 11 percent of consumers were interested in telemedicine in 2019, but that number has now risen to 76 percent.
5. The telemedicine market is now dominated by Southeast Asia, North America, and Australia.

Conclusion

Although telemedicine has been practiced for many years, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased its popularity.

Technology may work miracles and save lives when appropriately utilized. The Ebola, Zika, and now Covid19 viruses are just a few of the pandemics and epidemics the globe is continually battling. And yet more than half of the world's population does not receive proper healthcare solutions.

Telemedicine can potentially address the existing healthcare system's accessibility and cost issues in the future. While telemedicine cannot replace in-person consultations, it may significantly enhance patient care.

Get in touch with appsrhino right away if you wish to enter the large telemedicine industry with your own personalized on-demand app!