Everything You Need to Know About Telemedicine

The world that we live in is incredibly connected- thanks to technology and the internet there’s so much we can do these days without leaving our homes. In many cases, this can simply make life more convenient- no longer do we need to traipse clothes shops to find what we’re after or scour the supermarket after work to buy food- everything can be ordered from the sofa and delivered to our door. But other advancements, like those in healthcare are more than convenient, they can be a total lifeline for so many people. Thanks to telemedicine, getting medical help is now as easy as a video call and for those that cant easily leave the house. It’s also useful for rural areas where it’s difficult to get to a doctor, or even urban areas where doctors surgeries are oversubscribed since telemedicine can cut down on time and increase the number of appointments available. Let’s take a closer look at what telemedicine is all about and how it’s changing the way we receive healthcare.

What is Telemedicine?

Telemedicine involves having a virtual doctor’s visit. Instead of going to a clinic or hospital, you can talk to a healthcare provider over the phone, through video chat, or even messaging. It’s a way for patients and doctors to connect without being in the same place. While some types of health issues will always need a face to face visit, for many problems and ailments it’s very easy for doctors to diagnose over the phone. Telemedicine isn’t just for minor ailments. It can be used to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, from allergies to monitoring and checking in on people with chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. If patients are given their own monitors at home (for example, glucose or blood pressure monitors) these can connect to an app that the doctor can see and review. They have the option to recommend further testing then or adjust medication. Mental health services are also available through telemedicine, including therapy and counselling sessions.

How Does Telemedicine Work?

Using telemedicine is simple, but first you’ll need to find a healthcare provider or a telemedicine platform. You can often do this through an app on your smartphone or by visiting a website, in some cases your existing GP might offer this. Once you’ve made an appointment, you’ll get instructions on how to connect. Then at the scheduled time, you’ll log in and talk to the doctor, nurse or therapist just like you would in person.

Benefits of Telemedicine

Telemedicine offers advantages for both patients and healthcare providers. For patients, it means no more long waits in the waiting room or the risk of catching illnesses from others waiting. If you have a weakened immune system the this will be a huge relief as the last thing you want is to catch something else while trying to get better from an existing illness. With telemedicine you can get medical help from the comfort of your own home, saving time and money on transportation. For healthcare providers, telemedicine can help them see more patients in less time, it can make it easier to stick to allotted slots and also fit more patients in during a working day.

Is Telemedicine Here to Stay?

Telemedicine has been around for decades, but it’s become much more popular in recent years, especially with the rise of smartphones and high speed internet. During the pandemic we all saw how important it was to be able to access healthcare remotely due to risk of spreading the virus, so covid has certainly sped things up and brought to light the importance of this kind of tech. And as technology continues to improve, telemedicine is likely to become even more common.