31 Aug Telehealth: Technology and Medicine
The progression of technology in the medical department is here. During the peak of COVID-19, the use of Telehealth provides a web of health professionals at your fingertips. This progressive method of getting a professional medical opinion or a basic appointment at home is a convenient way to practice self-care even when you’re busy. There is a wide array of services you can receive through Telehealth while using any smart device such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection.
Can Patients Connect From Anywhere?
Connection through telehealth for most people can be simple with most devices these days already containing internet connection and chat options like zoom and video chat. Before people use telehealth doctors’ offices usually contact them through phone or e-mail to alert them about the upcoming appointment and provide a link they will use to talk on the day as well as documents that will need to be signed. The secretary would also make sure to remind the patient to use a secure connection and stay confidential about everything said during the appointment. It is recommended that people still take the time to note specific things the physician says as reminders in order to make the process smoother.
What Can Telehealth Do?
Telehealth offers the comfort of being at home while having contact with the medical community. The care you can receive could include consultation on lab tests, x-ray results, mental health treatments like group and individual therapy, aid in recurring and skin issues, receiving care for minor problems like stomach issues and coughs, tracking health goals for diet-based problems, and follow-up appointments. The medical field shows they are willing to progress with the age of technology and cater to patients in multiple areas for many health concerns.
How Has Telehealth helped during COVID-19?
The use of technological medical options increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Without the option to do in-person appointments Telehealth became the source for people to engage with their doctors. Services like follow-up and mental health categories like therapy saw an increase in patients. While most people preferred face-to-face interactions this became the substitute for many patients. As the world started to return to its regular flow, patients have shown they would rather use technology to communicate with medical professionals.
Are There Advantages to using Telehealth?
Doctors have incorporated the use of technology into the way they connect with their patients with different options to connect. Patients could be offered the opportunity to talk live, through messaging, or through remote monitoring. Talk live provides the patient to video chat with a doctor through their smart device from anywhere taking stress off patients to be on time for their appointments or to find childcare. This option gives patients the comfort of still seeing their physician without having to leave their homes. The use of messaging would want the patient to have a secure way to send medical files without worry of someone other than the patient or doctor being able to see it. Remote monitoring provides people with a way to monitor health progress at home when participating in services that include keeping food journals or home nurses checking blood sugar levels for patients that are diabetic or elderly.
Using Telehealth isn’t just for a patient-doctor connection but also allows doctors and specialists to communicate as well. Connections between medical professionals aid in providing the best care for the patient as they can track and discuss diagnosis and treatment options at a clear and quick pace. New technology-based medical care has caused a decrease in cancellations with patients due to convenience. While many studies believe the decrease in cancellations might be because of the increased need for mental health services others find it easier and cheaper to use technology.
Who Can Use Telehealth?
People who have internet service, a smart device, and insurance covering Telehealth. Patients from all areas and with whatever lifestyles can receive the medical care they need. Whether people live in the city, suburbia, or rural towns the use of telehealth gives everyone the opportunity to get medical care whenever they need it. Progression allows people that have a full plate to still connect from anywhere. Although many people have shown this service is a convenient method for many there are those who find it has flaws.
What are the Issues with Telehealth?
While Telehealth may be a system that aided many in getting medical care it does have its issues. Telehealth being a system based on codes and algorithms may lack the human touch doctors say in-person appointments provide. Medical services like therapy can provide people with the comfort of home but not give patients the feeling of talking to a human.
There are also errors that could include losing internet service, unable to receive files, or having audio and visual issues from both ends. Doctors hoped the use of Telehealth would help decrease the stress of not only patients but physicians as well; unfortunately, many believe it did not. The use of technology that is always available increases the feeling that doctors are always on call in the profession.
Can It Be Improved?
The combination of technology and medicine seems as though it is here to stay but requires improvements. Doctors and patients would need guidance on the new ways technology can connect them. People unfamiliar with using technology have problems navigating through Telehealth links for appointments. In-person introductions could aid in setting the expectations for the patient with a human touch.
Progression is part of society. Relying on technological advancements to make the lives of people easier will not change. Telehealth is a wonderful asset for medical professionals to have in their arsenal when acquiring an abundance of patients. Providing people in all forms of life to continue to take care of themselves without having to stress out about going in-person due to numerous reasons helped during COVID-19. Both patients and physicians are still divided on the topic of in-person versus online treatment for numerous reasons. Telehealth has the potential to help patients continue self-care.