technology
January 18, 2024
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We all know what it’s like to lie on our couch with teary eyes and a dripping nose, dreading the prospect of going to the hospital and wishing that some doctor would just come and put us out of our misery by treating us. Well, let’s just say Telemedicine, also sometimes referred to as Telehealth, is the closest solution to that situation. It allows for the examination of the patient by a doctor, without the need for either of them to be present in one place physically, through the help of the internet.
But how is it possible to perform a clinical examination in Telemedicine? Several methods allow for this to happen efficiently, e.g., doctors can inspect the general outlook of the patient through a camera. Then, the doctor can guide the patients to take their vitals, which can be done quickly via the automated devices available today. The doctors can also show the patients to examine themselves for a more thorough examination. For example, several medical research papers suggested that throat examinations have been achieved successfully.
Unlike in-person care, Telemedicine saves a lot of time by eliminating the need for a separate trip to the hospital and waiting for one’s turn. Many doctors, however, still prioritize in-person appointments over telemedicine appointments which, in their opinion, result in the patients being neglected. They have pointed out, for example, that the lack of physical examinations like palpation and auscultation by the physician can result in subtle underlying pathologies being missed compromising both diagnosis and treatment. One upside to it is that people in remote areas can get a consultation through Telemedicine without needing to cover great distances. Still, at the same time, a simple lack of the required devices to adequately achieve that undermines and may not allow for the best Telemedicine experience. This becomes a serious problem for developing countries and rural areas that lack proper internet connections and smart devices; in contrast, no such concern is seen with in-person healthcare there. Patients with rare genetic conditions have had a major advantage with Telemedicine since they can easily access the limited resources offered for these diseases worldwide without traveling long distances.
Some medical facilities use apps like zoom, while others can use specialized apps like me MD, teledoc, and MD live. With these apps, the patient can sign in, provide basic information and medical history, explain signs and symptoms, and schedule an appointment with payment information.
The novel coronavirus affected millions worldwide, with its remarkable transmission rate limiting in-person interactions tremendously. However, if another Pandemic occurs, Telemedicine becomes the ideal healthcare option—keeping the doctors and nurses safe while preventing the spread of the disease.
