Is telemedicine your answer to better healthcare?

There’s a new approach that is changing the way patients are receiving medical care.  This approach called telemedicine has become more popular in the last 10 years. If the future is able to talk, it looks to be gearing up to make a striking evolution as it becomes an increasingly important part of the American healthcare infrastructure. 

Telemedicine allows health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients at a distance using telecommunications technology.  You could literally stay at home and have consultations with your doctor remotely, anywhere in the world. As our world becomes more reliant on wearable health monitors, computers, and video, doctors will be able to evaluate, diagnose, and treat you without you physically being in their office.

Pros and cons of telemedicine

While maybe not for everyone and depending on circumstances, there will always be times necessary to be in the physical presence of seeing a doctor in person, telemedicine does offer several key advantages. However, there are some downsides making it a technology unsuitable for some people.

Here’s a look at the pros:

·      Convenience – Without a doubt, telemedicine can save you travel time and the hassle of sitting in a waiting room for long periods of time surrounded by other sick people.

·      Increased rural access – In rural areas, there is a shortage of doctors across the U.S. Telemedicine has a unique capacity to increase medical services to rural patients.

·      Cost and efficiency – Doctors often charge less for a telemedicine consultation than they do for an in-person visit. A telemedicine consult may cost $40 to $70 compared to $130 to $180 for an office visit. In addition, telemedicine allows doctors to efficiently and closely monitor patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

·      Second opinions – Telemedicine allows a far-away specialist to evaluate your MRI, X-ray, or other scans and tests. This will help patients who want a second opinion, as well as doctors who want to consult with experts on complicated cases.

Despite the wide range of potential benefits, telemedicine still has its share of downsides:

·      Inadequate assessments – When consulting your doctor online you don’t get a physical examination. Certain non-verbal cues might still slip through the cracks. Your doctor must rely on your own descriptive abilities instead of his or her own expert touch. At worst, this could lead to an improper diagnosis.

·      A depersonalized experience – Telemedicine may be more impersonal than a face-to-face visit with your doctor. A good doctor-patient relationship is characterized by trust and intimacy. Patients often bring up issues during a doctor’s visit that go beyond their immediate health problems.

·      Electronic defaults – Telemedicine is only as reliable as the electrical current that keeps it running. If your Internet connection is disrupted, your session will stop completely. Technical problems could complicate your online consultation or remote monitoring.

In conclusion

The old-fashioned way of meeting with your doctor in person is still the best method for medical treatment. Make this your primary way of getting treated for any medical condition.  But, if you can’t be physically present due to work commitments or distance, consider a telehealth option. Consult with your doctor or insurance company to find out more information and if telemedicine services are available to you.  Also be aware that each state has its own laws and regulations regarding telemedicine.