The Future of Diagnosis: Telemedicine

Telemedicine is the provision of medical care to a patient without requiring them to visit a provider's office. Rather, individuals can reach their physicians via a computer, phone or tablet. This became quite relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic when so many people were quarantined. With the advent of telemedicine, there are still patients who need to be seen and their care provided while safety is ensured. It is also ideal for those patients who might be staying very far from any hospital or doctor making it possible to access healthcare easily.

One of the major benefits of telemedicine is that it is time-saving. There is no need to make a trip to a doctor’s office, which in most cases takes a lot of resources including time. Instead, a majority of people can speak to their doctor from the comfort of their homes or at a location of their choice which makes it more advantageous. It’s also beneficial when it comes to sustaining treatment such as monitoring a patient with chronic illness as well as for mental wellness scheduling where attending therapy at home is more comforting.

Nonetheless, there are certain disadvantages of using telemedicine. Not every medical issue can be addressed through the screen. In some instances, proper diagnosis can only be made by physically examining the patient. In addition, privacy is a concern when it comes to individual health records and sometimes the equipment or software being used may also malfunction which may be a source of annoyance to both parties.

As telemedicine is on the rise, it is also impacting the employment within the health care sector. Certain positions may be altered for example doctors may be expected to use more technology than they have prior to this. New positions such as telemedicine coordinators will emerge. This means the healthcare system will have to train their workers in a completely new way in order to deal with the demands. As more people use telemedicine, it could become a normal way for many to get the healthcare they need in a easier and more efficient way.