The COVID 19 virus arrived in the beginning of 2020. As have different calamities come and gone in the past, everyone expected this virus to go away and the situation to get normalised in due course of time. A lot of things were kept on hold. Travel plans, important events, elective surgeries and so on. However as we know, Time and tide waits for no man. Half of the year has gone by and the virus is still around. Life cannot be kept on hold, so we have to learn how to deal with it and dwell in the new normal. How can we move forward in this scenario? We need to reinvent ourselves. A lot of things are probably going to change forever. And possibly for the better. One of them is Telemedicine.
Telemedicine refers to the practice of caring for patients remotely when the provider and patient are not physically present with each other.
With the use of technology patients can consult various doctors from the safety and comfort of their homes. They can discuss their issues and get prescribed tests and medications as well.
These services can be very helpful for patients suffering from minor illnesses, skin conditions and so on. Chronic conditions like Diabetes, Hypertension, Endocrine disorders and Rheumatological illnesses can be easily managed by online consults. They can also help in clearing various doubts which the patient's may have regarding any swellings- like breast lumps , ulcerations in the mouth which can be cancer or minor injuries. For surgeons it can be helpful in deciding which patients need urgent attention and need to come down to the hospital for further treatment. So it can prevent unnecessary trips to the hospital for trivial conditions and can decrease the crowding.
In the future, telemedicine can provide a safe, cost-effective and time-saving method of practising medicine and can be an effective triage tool as well. For this technique to be used most effectively, our patients need to be educated regarding its benefits. Currently a lot of patients do contact and are in touch with their doctors on whatsapp. This process needs to be streamlined. A one-on- one dedicated consult at a designated time will be most effective with this regard. This will prevent patients contacting doctors at irregular times and patients too will get the undivided attention of the doctor when the consult is official. A huge advantage of this is that patient from remote locations can also access the best of the medical faculties.
A lot of doctors have adapted this practice and a lot more are in the process. Many corporate hospitals have started providing online consultations to patients. Apps like Healthplix and PractoPro are also providing this service to patients. It is time for the patients to adapt and learn.
Many years ago, formal education was not considered necessary for survival. Now we all agree how important that is. In today's digital age, it is time for us to evolve, embrace newer techniques of medical practice and look forward to a healthier future.
Telemedicine refers to the practice of caring for patients remotely when the provider and patient are not physically present with each other.
With the use of technology patients can consult various doctors from the safety and comfort of their homes. They can discuss their issues and get prescribed tests and medications as well.
These services can be very helpful for patients suffering from minor illnesses, skin conditions and so on. Chronic conditions like Diabetes, Hypertension, Endocrine disorders and Rheumatological illnesses can be easily managed by online consults. They can also help in clearing various doubts which the patient's may have regarding any swellings- like breast lumps , ulcerations in the mouth which can be cancer or minor injuries. For surgeons it can be helpful in deciding which patients need urgent attention and need to come down to the hospital for further treatment. So it can prevent unnecessary trips to the hospital for trivial conditions and can decrease the crowding.
In the future, telemedicine can provide a safe, cost-effective and time-saving method of practising medicine and can be an effective triage tool as well. For this technique to be used most effectively, our patients need to be educated regarding its benefits. Currently a lot of patients do contact and are in touch with their doctors on whatsapp. This process needs to be streamlined. A one-on- one dedicated consult at a designated time will be most effective with this regard. This will prevent patients contacting doctors at irregular times and patients too will get the undivided attention of the doctor when the consult is official. A huge advantage of this is that patient from remote locations can also access the best of the medical faculties.
A lot of doctors have adapted this practice and a lot more are in the process. Many corporate hospitals have started providing online consultations to patients. Apps like Healthplix and PractoPro are also providing this service to patients. It is time for the patients to adapt and learn.
Many years ago, formal education was not considered necessary for survival. Now we all agree how important that is. In today's digital age, it is time for us to evolve, embrace newer techniques of medical practice and look forward to a healthier future.
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