Electronic Health Reporter

The healthcare sector is the backbone of any economy, without which no nation can survive. For a prosperous country, it is essential to have a more robust health care sector. Hence, more healthy and fit the workforce is, the better the country will run.

However, if you ask your elders about the hospitals and the availability of healthcare facilities in their times, they will say it was not as advanced as today. There used to be fewer healthcare units and limited doctors available for patient treatments. With the evolution of technology, the health care system got better.

Around five decades back, some hospitals with excellent resources and facilities tried to experiment with providing remote care to patients. Fewer hospitals were trying to reach patients in remote areas to offer them healthcare over the telephone.

Thanks to technological advancements, telemedicine has brought a lot of positive changes in health care services. Diseases can attack us anywhere at any time. Some are mild and get a quick fix of treatment, while many are lethal and need a well-thought treatment plan. The world has seen many plagues and pandemic, but the modern epidemic of COVID-19 is new to the whole world. With the outbreak of this pandemic, ill or healthy, everyone has to stay home and avoid going out. Those having on-going treatments for their follow-ups and other medical examinations were a bit worried.

Fortunately, we live in a digitalized era where telemedicine has provided a solution to all those who were concerned about the doctor’s follow-up or medicine prescriptions. Telehealth has made healthcare services easy for people and practitioners; it brings a little bit of ease in their schedules. It has helped many people who were living in remote areas to get better without traveling.

With new technologies and techniques, health care is continuously evolving. With the pandemic affecting millions of lives and lockdown administered throughout the country, doctors and general practitioners prefer to learn about public health management through online mph degree programs. A degree in public health equips you with skills that can help you develop better solutions for the healthcare system.

The following are the seven ways how telemedicine is revolutionizing the healthcare industry:

1. Efficacy And Accessibility

Geographic barriers are everywhere, and it often causes many troubles for those in need of medical attention. Doctors cannot leave hospitals and travel to treat patients far away, and not every patient can afford to travel while paying for their medical bills. It has enhanced the monitoring of chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. Everyone can easily access to healthcare facilities by using their phones. With telemedicine, parents can get a prescription for their child while sitting at their offices.

2. Cost-Effective

Many people register for health insurance policies to cover their medical bills and expenses. Those insurance plans have some premium charges that an individual must fulfill before they can avail of the services. With the telemedicine interventions, people can now get prescriptions at the comfort of their houses without spending money on travel fares. It can benefit aged people with decreased mobility to get treatments at reduced costs.

3. Creating Awareness

Even if someone is living in underdeveloped areas, they still have access to a telephone. People living in underprivileged regions have poor health conditions. Due to the lack of enough finances and short visits to hospitals, they follow the treatment as per their understanding. Luckily, educating patients about their condition, treatment plans, and dietary changes is no more an issue. Following a proper treatment protocol can manifest better health conditions and awareness. Patients who are unaware of their health conditions can get to know what to do and what to avoid.

4. Revenue Generation

With telemedicine, it is now possible to diagnose more patients in less time and allow physicians to assess more patients. It benefits the physician in saving their staff, and utilities cost as they can provide on-demand and on-call medical attention. It can help hospitals to raise more profits for their staff and building alike.

5. Psychiatric Care

People are prone to stress, and it can affect their mental health. Mental health needs treatment too. Telemedicine offers telepsychiatry services also. It can help many people suffering from mental illnesses and get counseling services. Telepsychiatry can help people to overcome their stress due to pandemic and lockdown. It can lead people to depression and anxiety that are necessary to look after. If you feel you are getting pressure or feeling too much overwhelmed, you can avail of the services of a psychologist over the phone.

6. Expert Opinion

Many people often prefer to have a more expert opinion before making any big decisions regarding their health. Family members who want to consider another doctor’s advice and get the second opinion about their medical reports can contact other doctors.

7. Improved Outcomes

Healthcare systems mainly focus on the betterment of patients and their recovery. Telemedicine has played a crucial role in improving the patient’s outcome. Many patients do not continue their consultation after one or two visits as they have to wait for appointments. With telemedicine patients feel it convenient to get an immediate one on one consultation. The availability of doctors over the phone has helped many patients to follow their treatment protocols religiously.

Conclusion

Easy access to adequate healthcare facilities is the right of every patient. Whether it’s a mild symptom or you have an acute disease, you still require medical attention. Telemedicine, in this case, has been a game-changer. It has helped the healthcare industry in significant ways.

Since doctors now get relief from long working schedules, patients feel more comfortable talking to a doctor whenever they need help. People can get emergency medicine without having to drive to long distances. Therefore, most patients are getting timely treatment by remote care and are recovering well from their illnesses because of telemedicine.