Telemedicine may seem inevitable, given all the advancements in technology in use today – although it’s still a wonder. Telemedicine uses telecommunication technology to deliver health care to isolated regions and people, permitting doctor-patient exchanges that would not otherwise be possible.
People who are homebound can now meet with their doctor in real time – albeit via a computer screen or smart phone. Those with standing weekly appointments with mental health experts can keep their appointment without having to leave their home. It’s like a virtual house call. Telemedicine visits are ideal for simple follow-up appointments where your doctor needs just a few minutes with you, face-to-face, to ensure all is well after a course of treatment.
No more traveling long distances, spending more time in the waiting room than with the doctor, or being exposed to infectious illnesses of other patients. And special encryption adds a layer of security and keeps telemedicine sessions HIPAA compliant.
Types of Telemedicine
There are three main categories of telemedicine:
- Real-time interactive services. This is what most people imagine when they think of telemedicine. This is a live interaction using a video chat feature like an encrypted Skype or video chat that allows patient and doctor to interact in real time, regardless of the physical distance between them. These services provide a secure, inexpensive way for patient and doctor to interface and receive immediate medical attention.
- Remote patient monitoring. Remote patient monitoring allows your doctor to review the medical data you’ve recorded, from a distance. For example, say a diabetic has a home-based glucose monitor, the patient can record their sugar levels, which can be retrieved by the doctor who can verify that everything looks OK. The success of remote patient monitoring depends on having and properly using health tracking equipment. With the explosion of popular wearable technology, this is becoming easier and easier to do.
- Store-and-forward. Also known as asynchronous telemedicine, this enables health care providers to easily share and discuss patient data such as lab results, diagnostic imaging, and more with another provider – such as a specialist at another location. With digitized records, this can be done literally instantly. It allows a doctor at one location to share information with the patient, at a second location, and with a specialist at a third location, all at different times. No need for a three-way conference call.
Would you like to enjoy the convenience of telemedicine? Contact eMDnow and experience the real-time interactive benefits for yourself. Call (800) 511-0497 or request an appointment now and discover the newest approach to medicine.
