What is Telemed and How Does It Affect Healthcare?
The healthcare industry is continually evolving, and one of the most significant advancements is telemedicine, often referred to as “Telemed.” Telemed is a revolutionary approach that leverages technology to provide medical services remotely, bridging the gap between healthcare professionals and patients irrespective of their geographical locations.
What Are the Different Types of Telemed?
Telemed is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it comes in various forms to cater to different needs. These are the common types of telemed:
Video Conferencing:
This involves real-time interaction between healthcare providers and patients. It allows for consultations, check-ups, and even therapy sessions to occur virtually. Through secure video platforms, patients can discuss their symptoms, receive diagnoses, and even have follow-up visits, all from the comfort of their homes.
Store-and-Forward (Asynchronous Video):
In this method, medical data like lab reports, images, and videos are collected and sent to a healthcare professional for later review. This is especially useful for non-urgent cases and can facilitate collaboration between specialists.
Remote Monitoring:
Also known as telemonitoring, this allows healthcare providers to monitor a patient’s vital signs and symptoms remotely using technological devices. Patients can transmit this data to healthcare professionals who can monitor their conditions remotely and intervene when necessary. This type of telemed is particularly beneficial for managing chronic conditions and promoting proactive healthcare.
Virtual Consultations:
These are online platforms where patients can seek advice from healthcare professionals without a scheduled appointment. This can include primary care, mental health counselling, and dermatology consultations.
What Are the Benefits of Telemed?
Telemed can provide a wide range of benefits for healthcare professionals and patients alike, especially in terms of convenience and accessibility.
Convenience:
Patients can access medical consultations from anywhere with an internet connection, reducing the burden of accessing healthcare services, particularly for those living in remote areas.
Improved cost-effectiveness:
Telemed significantly reduces healthcare costs for both patients and providers. With fewer hospital visits, transportation expenses are minimized, and medical facilities can optimize their resources more efficiently.
Improved access to healthcare:
Telemed can reach patients in remote areas where medical facilities may be scarce. This not only provides patients with a wider range of healthcare specialists and services but also ensures timely medical attention.
Reduce the risk of spreading or catching infectious diseases:
By limiting in-person interactions, telemed can help control the spread of contagious diseases. This has been useful during pandemics or disease outbreaks by helping to contain infectious diseases and protect vulnerable populations.
What Are the Types of Care I Can Have with Telemed?
For patients with chronic conditions or restrictions in mobility, telemed can provide them with a wide range of specialized care. However, it may not be able to fully replace in-person consultation depending on the needs of your condition.
With telemed, you can receive:
- Consultations for minor conditions such as cough and cold.
- Refill and manage prescriptions.
- Follow-up consultations after surgical procedures.
- Receive your X-ray, blood test, or lab report.
- Have psychological counselling or occupational therapy.
How is a telemed consultation different from a physical consultation?
For those who are wondering how is a telemed consultation different from a physical session, we have provided a brief comparison between them.
| Telemed Consultation | Physical Consultation |
Location and Convenience | Patients can communicate with their healthcare provider from the comfort of their own home or a location of their choice. This removes the need for travel and saves time, which can be useful for those who are living in remote areas.
| Patients will need to visit a healthcare facility to meet their healthcare provider face-to-face. Some may prefer this option as it can enhance the rapport between doctors and patients
|
Consultation and Examination | Doctors rely solely on the patient’s description of their symptoms. Patients may also be asked to use medical devices such as blood pressure monitors to aid in the examination. This can be effective for minor ailments such as cough and cold. | Healthcare provider can perform hands-on examinations through the usage of various medical devices. This allows for a more detailed and accurate evaluation of the patient’s condition. |
Follow-Up and Ongoing Care | For patients with chronic conditions who require frequent check-ups, telemed consultations can be convenient for them. Doctors will have to adjust the treatment plan or address any new concerns based on the patient’s verbal descriptions. | For conditions that require hands-on care or medical evaluation, physical consultations allow for a more thorough and accurate diagnosis. |
Prescriptions and Medications | Telemed can also facilitate the prescriptions and delivery of medication to patients. This can be convenient for those who have mobility issues or have infectious conditions and prefer staying at home. | Through physical consultation, patients can receive their prescriptions and medications immediately from their healthcare provider. Furthermore, some conditions may be better suited to in-person consultations for a thorough examination. |
What is the future of telemed in the healthcare industry?
As technology continues to advance, telemed will only gain in popularity. It is an option that can not only bring convenience but also reduces exposure, such as in the face of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, where patients who crowded waiting rooms were unknowingly spreading the virus. Furthermore, due to increased access to electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, patients already have the tools they need to participate in a telemed consultation.
Adding on, as the population ages and the prevalence of chronic diseases increases, telemedicine becomes a valuable tool for managing ongoing health conditions and providing regular check-ups for seniors and patients with mobility issues. And let’s not forget the growing demand for remote and virtual services which has also affected the healthcare industry, as telemedicine aligns with the modern demand for remote access for goods and services.
Are You Interested in Using Telemed?
Telemed is a transformative approach to healthcare, and it is now available at Peak Medical! If you are interested in using telemed for future consultations or check-ups, feel free to contact us and we will get back to you soon.
