TELEMEDICINE; THE SWIFT HEALTH CARE FACILITATOR
Telemedicine is the use of technology that enables remote healthcare (telehealth). It makes it easy for physicians to treat patients whenever needed and wherever the patient is, by using a computer or smartphone.
Telemedicine can be a great alternative to the traditional health care system especially when:
- Patients are unable to leave the house due to sickness or bad weather conditions but need medical attention.
- Holidays, weekends, late-night, or any other situation when regular medical care is not possible.
- Faster refill of long-term medical prescriptions.
- Post-treatment check-ins or follow up for chronic care.
How does telemedicine work and how does it relate to telehealth?
Making use of telemedicine services is very easy. The service uses an online account or a toll-free phone number. Patients can request a consultation, submitting basic information on their condition, and then the physician either accepts or declines the visit, or schedules it for the future.
Benefits of Telemedicine:
• It’s economic
Physicians and patients both save money when using telemedicine. Patients are spared from the cost that comes with physical visits, and physicians don’t lose money on cancellations of appointment. Instead monies are concentrated on medical needs only.
- Eradicates the possibility of getting a new illness:
Patients are exposed to certain diseases in the hospital environment. Overcrowded waiting rooms are breeding grounds for several illnesses. By being seen at home via a virtual consultation, you get the care you need while avoiding the risk of exposure.
- Increased access to care:
Telemedicine helps overcome geographical barriers. Patients often lose hours of their day when they make the long commute to the doctor’s office, and end up waiting in long queue. In some cases, leaving the house to access care just doesn’t seem worth it like during bad weather conditions, pandemics, outbreaks of deadly diseases like Covid-19. With telemedicine, patients can be diagnosed from their homes and in get their prescriptions immediately sent to a local pharmacy. This method is not only a time-saver, but also a way of getting better medical attention whenever needed, and is extremely helpful for patients in rural areas.
- Time-saving
With many health conditions, renewing a prescription is routine, and not worth a long commute. If a patient has a simple cold or mild infection, then the physical exam can be completed via video. Chronic illnesses often require patients to spend a lot of time in a doctor’s office/hospital but that isn’t always necessary with telemedicine tools.
What does a person needs for telemedicine?
The perquisites for a telemedicine consultation are:
• Charged device
• An internet connection
• The necessary app
• A place to conduct the visit
• Headphones or earphones
• Pictures or medical reports
• A pen and paper.
