Telemedicine is the use of telecommunication and information technologies to provide clinical health care from a distance. It allows healthcare providers to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients remotely using audiovisual communication tools.
One of the main benefits of telemedicine is increased accessibility to healthcare services. It eliminates geographical barriers and enables patients in remote or rural areas to connect with healthcare providers from the comfort of their own homes. This is especially beneficial for patients who may have difficulty traveling to a physical clinic, such as those with mobility issues or chronic conditions.
In addition, telemedicine can also save time and money for both patients and healthcare providers. Patients no longer have to spend time and money on transportation to get to a clinic, while healthcare providers can see more patients in a day by reducing the time spent on administrative tasks.
Telemedicine also offers convenience and flexibility for both patients and healthcare providers. With telemedicine, patients can schedule appointments at their preferred times without having to worry about long wait times or conflicting schedules. Healthcare providers, on the other hand, have the flexibility to provide virtual consultations outside of traditional office hours, making healthcare more accessible for working professionals.
Moreover, telemedicine has been proven to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. It allows for better monitoring of patients with chronic conditions and can reduce the risk of complications by providing timely interventions. Patients also report higher satisfaction levels with virtual consultations as it eliminates the need to travel and wait in a physical waiting room.
In summary, telemedicine offers numerous benefits for both patients and healthcare providers, making it a valuable tool in modern healthcare. It promotes accessibility, convenience, and cost-effectiveness while improving patient outcomes and satisfaction. As technology continues to advance, telemedicine is expected to play an even bigger role in the future of healthcare delivery.
● A computer equipped with a camera, a camera equipped tablet or a smart phone
● Internet access
● Blood pressure monitor
● Weight scale
● Thermometer
● Pulse oximeter
If you can take your vitals signs at home it will greatly improve the ability of your
provider to make accurate, informed decisions.
Call the clinic and speak with the receptionist. Tell her/him that you are interested in a
telemedicine appointment.
If you make a telemedicine appointment, you need to be ready to answer a call from the
clinic at the appointed time and for at least 30 minutes after. Your healthcare provider
may be with another patient and unable to call you at the appointed time. Failure to
answer a call from the clinic will be considered the same as a no-show. If the clinic
does not call you within 30 minutes of your appointed time, then you will not be held
responsible for a no-show.
Routine follow-up of chronic health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes can
be accomplished through a telemedicine visit. However you may still be asked to come
in for blood tests. In the case of hypertension, you will be asked to perform ongoing
monitoring of your blood pressure at home. For diabetes you will be asked to
consistently monitor your blood sugar at home as well. Failure to consistently monitor
these vitals may result in your being required to have in-person visits.
Finally, be aware that you will be required to have an in-person visit at least once yearly.