Question

• Give relevant background information and description of what telemedicine encompasses and how it works.

• Please provide the correct information with some research and give the website below your answer!

• Thank you!

Answer 1

Telemedicine refers to the process of diagnosis and treatment of patients located in remote areas through the use of telecommunication technology. This includes the use of cell phones and other wireless tools, video calls, email, remote patient monitoring etc. It was started almost 40 years back but nowadays the field has shown immense growth and is been used in most of the hospitals, workplaces, home health cares, etc. This has to be differentiated from telehealth, a wider term which actually includes telemedicine and also other services like health information and education also along with diagnosis and treatment.

            The telemedicine is extremely useful for patients who are located in remote areas where the accessibility to specialty medical services are very less. For example a radiologist can read the image from a distant place and explain the findings to a patient in a hospital where radiologists are not appointed. Nowadays advices of experts in a particular field are taken via video conferencing even at the time of an operation. A person can use his mobile phone or tablet or a laptop to track medical records, and set appointment and medication reminders. Mobile phones also allow video conferencing and text message to communicate with health care provider. Mobile apps have been developed for pregnant ladies who can use it find whether they have completed the milestones at each stage and also describe the symptoms of common problems. This help them to avoid direct consultation with doctor which is highly helpful if they are advised for rest or they are residing far away from hospital. Remote Patient Monitoring is a technique in which patient’s data are collected, transmitted and evaluated using devices such as mobile phones, wearable etc. The data monitored in this way can include heart rate, oxygen levels, respiratory rates, blood pressure etc.

            Thus it can be seen that telemedicine although a very young branch of healthcare, have development along with the development in the telecommunication system. It can help patients to get expert opinion regardless of their location with minimum expenditure. The technique has also helped doctors to attend more patients without having to travel down to different locations.

https://catalyst.nejm.org/what-is-telehealth/