Advantages of Telemedicine
We might need to reconsider the doctor appointment as a house call without the commute thanks to digital technologies. The concept of a virtual appointment has been around for years, and telemedicine has been employed in a wide range of specialties, from primary care to cardiology.
Both primary care and specialists benefit from telehealth because it allows them to broaden their reach and treat patients everywhere there is an internet connection. Healthcare organizations have traditionally created telehealth platforms because they have the financial resources to invest in sophisticated digital technologies.
Telehealth applications are now available as software-as-a-service (SaaS) and don’t require large upfront expenses and instead come as part of monthly subscription packages that are both safe and HIPAA-compliant.
What Is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine uses digital technology allowing healthcare providers to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients remotely with the help of computers and smartphones. Video conferencing is used in most scenarios however some doctors prefer to communicate with patients by email or phone.
When you’re sick, telemedicine eliminates the need to drive to the doctor’s office and sit in a waiting room. You can consult with your doctor from the comfort of your own home. Virtual visits may be more convenient for you to fit into your hectic schedule because you don’t need to take time off work or arrange child care.
Telemedicine vs Telehealth
Despite the fact that the terms telemedicine and telehealth are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two.
Telehealth refers to a wide range of technologies and services used to provide patient care and improve the overall healthcare delivery system.Telehealth is distinct from telemedicine in that it encompasses a broader range of remote healthcare services.Telehealth can relate to non-clinical services such as provider training, administrative meetings, and continuing medical education in addition to clinical care.
Follow-up visits, specialist consultation, management of chronic illnesses, medication prescription, and a variety of other clinical services that can be performed remotely via secure video and audio communications are all common uses for telemedicine technology.
Health practitioners and patients have grown more comfortable connecting digitally as telemedicine has become more widely used. Here’s how patients and health organizations can benefit from telehealth.