The 21st century is experiencing marvels in technological advancements and the medical industry is no exception. To date, one of the most promising advances is telemedicine.
Telemedicine or Telehealth refers to the process of health care experts being able to perform diagnosis and/or treatments of patients who are not physically located at the medical facility’s office. Rather, it is done through the use of remote communication. The process involves a connection from a physician or medical professional to a patient via a secure video feed over the Internet. The patient may be a few blocks away, a few miles away or even hundreds of miles away.
If managed correctly, the benefits can be plentiful; such as a patient doesn’t have to travel to the doctor’s office, which can be advantageous when the individual is not feeling well enough to travel. The person can be provided with a much quicker diagnosis and at times, a life-saving suggestion from the other side of the world may need to be provided.
Telemedicine allows for one of the most apt responses and attention a patient can get, especially when there are fewer medical practitioners at hand or no medical team within reach. Sometimes, it is also referred to as absentia care and in a recent survey by the Medical Society of the State of New York on telemedicine, the results were significant. Over 78% of doctors surveyed said they are interested in pursuing this technology. Let’s delve in more detail about how the advantages of telemedicine can bring a revolution in the healthcare industry:
Telemedicine Reduces Expenses:
Health is important and cannot be ignored in any case; however, it is the expensive medicines and other health care expenses that make people hesitate in paying attention to their health. Telemedicine acknowledges this issue and in a way, provides a solution by being able to provide better and quality healthcare. Telemedicine also reduces expenses by eliminating the transport expenses associated with doctors, urgent care and hospital visits, as well as avoiding whole workdays off from work.
Brings Healthcare to the Rural Areas Around the World:
Remote places around the world are not so fortunate to have the luxury of excellent medical care that the people of urban areas have. Telemedicine is beneficial because it is making it possible for the rural population to have the same level of expertise in medical care as that of an urban area.
Progress in Medical Researches:
When great minds come together, they create something magical. Telemedicine is making this possible too. When the best and most expert practitioners from around the world communicate more frequently, take suggestions, give advice and see results, it allows them to establish better ways of providing health care.
An Option for All:
A majority of working-class people or sometimes, even the most career-oriented people, find it difficult to miss a workday or two or to wait for hours in the doctor’s office while their children are with a babysitter. Telemedicine allows people to have their independence. People can deal with their health and care without making them appear to be a glitch in their everyday routines. Sometimes, a health problem even forces families to move to a different state, whether they like it or not. However, with Telemedicine, such an inconvenience can be avoided.
Better Chances of Recovery:
It’s one thing when only doctors and parents are worried about someone’s health care and an entirely different matter when a person is too invested in their own proper health-related issues. It increases the chances of recovery and lowers the cost. With telemedicine, a patient him/herself has to take care of their virtual appointments and has to contact their doctors or nurses at times of a sudden emergency. With more patient engagement, the chances of healing increase tenfold.
So, now that we know how telemedicine can bring a revolutionary change in the world of medical care, the only thing preventing it is a lack of awareness and the establishment of proper systems in place.