Introduction
Technology and medicine have always coexisted in harmony. Things are now easier than ever, thanks to the development of telemedicine. With only one click, one may obtain first aid supplies, self-checkup kits, medications, and much more.
Normally, when you're feeling under the weather, you call your primary care doctor to schedule an appointment. You continue to spend time in the waiting area even after that. You end up waiting even if you have an appointment in advance. You must take extra precautions to avoid infection from other patients while you are there.
Telemedicine alters everything and enables you to see a doctor wherever you are.
What is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine is the use of technology to communicate with a doctor. It is simpler for both parties to feel secure when the patient and doctor communicate via video calls, chats, emails, and other methods.
Telemedicine is a highly efficient method that improves accessibility, affordability, and engagement in healthcare. Information can be instantly transferred across computer screens between doctors and patients. Even readings from medical devices in another location can be seen and recorded. Thanks to this technology, known as telemedicine, patients can consult medical professionals from the convenience of their homes.
Considering how slowly technology has been adopted in the healthcare industry, providers and doctors may still not be familiar with telemedicine and telehealth. However, technology and medical innovation have substantially increased the scope of its applicability. A new generation of tech-savvy individuals has also pushed for its rapid acceptance because of the convenience, savings, and intelligent features it offers.
Three general categories can be used to categorize telemedicine:
- Real-time communication between patients and doctors occurs in interactive telemedicine. This also involves "supervised" telemedicine, in which a senior physician provides diagnosis and guidance to staff members on the ground.
- Remote patient monitoring, or telehealth, is the process of having healthcare professionals check on a patient remotely using mobile medical equipment to measure things like blood pressure and sugar levels.
- A doctor may "save and forward" medical data to other healthcare professionals or specialists for their counsel.
When is Telemedicine a good option?
For conditions that call for quick hands-on care, Telemedicine is inappropriate. A person must be present to manage emergencies like a heart attack, stroke, or broken bones that may need x-rays or casts.
Nevertheless, telemedicine is a fantastic substitute for minor problems and counseling.
You can arrange a video conference with your doctor to discuss your symptoms and possibly acquire a prescription for any medication you might want, for instance, if you think a cut you have may be infected.
Another scenario would be getting sick with a throat infection while on vacation or not being able to get your usual medication. Simply get in touch with your doctor to request the medicine that will work best for you.
Teledermatology and psychotherapy are both growing in popularity. Due to the present pandemic crisis, scheduling a virtual consultation for minor, episodic ailments like colds and flu, bug bites, sore throats, diarrhea, and pink eye is also becoming increasingly popular.
Benefits of Telemedicine
More convenient and accessible care
Despite popular belief, 74% of patients asked in a recent Cisco global survey preferred simple access to healthcare services above face-to-face interactions with healthcare professionals.
You can obtain on-demand care through virtual care without the costs and accompanying wait times associated with in-person visits. According to a recent Harvard Medical School research, patients lose roughly 43 dollars in wasted time each time they wait to see a doctor.
Patients who reside in rural areas or are confined to their homes benefit greatly from telemedicine.
Cost-effective healthcare
All parties involved in the healthcare system—including you, the healthcare provider, and your health insurer—benefit from lower healthcare expenses thanks to remote analysis, monitoring services, and computerized data storage.
Additionally, it lessens the need for routine examinations that don't require ER trips, as well as the expenses related to transportation. According to the American Hospitals Association, a telemedicine program reduced expenditures by 11%.
These savings are scalable across the globe and might potentially be more significant in developing countries with low doctor-patient ratios.
Extend specialist access
Patients who live in remote or rural locations benefit from telemedicine far more since it allows them to obtain specialized care without worrying about a long drive. Furthermore, your primary care doctor is no longer concerned about how to send you to the right specialist.
Increased patient engagement
Disengaged patients are expensive for everyone concerned. Telemedicine promotes greater patient engagement by making appointments and care schedules easier to adhere to.
Virtual visits support your ability to trust that care workers are accessible and involved. Additionally, it makes it much simpler for the patient to contact the doctor with any concerns or early warning signals to make sure the recovery is proceeding normally.
According to a new study published in the American Journal for Managed Care, patients who use telemedicine have lower instances of depression, anxiety, and stress and have 38% fewer hospital admissions.
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Applications of Telemedicine
Management of chronic diseases
With the use of cutting-edge medical equipment, doctors can now remotely check the health of their patients. By sending data from one device to another, mobile technology has made it possible for providers to obtain data such as heart rate, blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and more.
Healthcare facilities use telemedicine services to treat patients with chronic illnesses. They have created telemedicine systems to achieve this, enabling doctors to stay current from the hospital to their homes. Additionally, everyone involved in the patient care process can contribute, including the patient, their family, and other healthcare professionals.
Medication administration
In the healthcare sector, medication management is important, particularly for the elderly. Telemedicine can be beneficial for elderly persons as they are more likely to forget to take their meds. Telemedicine technology allows providers and other healthcare professionals to monitor when and whether their patients take their medications. There are fewer readmissions to hospitals as a result, and medication adherence is improved.
Taking second opinions
Today's telemedicine options enable patients to get a second opinion from the convenience of their homes. It is easy to send copies of your medical records and other documents to a different doctor by uploading them to their secure website. This is quite practical for people who require a specialist's services but lack the resources to go a great distance or wait around for a long time.
Humanitarian assistance
Local healthcare resources are swiftly mobilized in the event of a disaster to offer both urgent and non-urgent care. Because there is a greater demand for services than what can be provided, this typically results in a shortage.
Telemedicine allows doctors in distant cities to assist patients via video visits. In fact, medical professionals conducted video visits for behavioral health and emergency care during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. This made it possible for practitioners to focus locally on high-demand, complex issues rather than remotely manageable low-level cases.
Conclusion
People who prefer to stay at home and cannot travel to the doctor's office can use telemedicine. Patients should check the credentials of the doctor giving care, nevertheless.
The telemedicine sector is constantly developing and has a highly promising future. It is a company worth working on and investing in! Now is the moment to invest and most likely make a fortune.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Telemedicine and how does it work?
Telemedicine is a form of healthcare delivery that allows patients to consult with healthcare providers remotely using video conferencing or phone calls. It involves the use of technology to provide medical care and advice without the need for in-person visits.
What types of medical conditions can be treated through Telemedicine?
Telemedicine can be used to diagnose and treat a wide range of non-emergency medical conditions, including minor illnesses, chronic disease management, mental health consultations, and follow-up appointments. However, certain conditions that require physical examinations or procedures may still require in-person visits.
How secure is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine platforms and systems employ various security measures to ensure patient data confidentiality and privacy. Encryption and secure communication protocols are used to protect sensitive information. It is important for healthcare providers and patients to choose reputable telemedicine platforms and follow best practices to maintain security.
Do health insurance plans cover Telemedicine services?
Many health insurance plans now cover telemedicine services, especially for primary care and specialty consultations. However, coverage policies may vary, so it's important to check with your insurance provider to understand the extent of coverage for telemedicine consultations and any associated costs.
