It is an undeniable fact that the birth of the internet and the improvements in telecommunication services have added a lot to our lives. The application of technology in the development of telemedicine is a game changer in the health industry.
The health system has undergone a lot of changes over the years due to development in information technology and the widespread availability of the internet. The governments of different countries are utilizing the advancements in telecommunication to help their citizens get the best of health services at minimal cost, wherever they are.
What is Telemedicine All About?
What does ‘telemedicine’ mean to the common man? Telemedicine in its simplest form means provision of medical treatment through the application of telecommunication.
With the availability of video chats, for instance, a medical doctor doesn’t need to see the patient physically before treatment can be suggested. Telemedicine providers can develop a telecommunication app through which the doctor can reach a patient far away in rural communities easily and without expending a lot of cost to the patient or the government.
Types of Telemedicine
There are three major categories of telemedicine, namely:
- Store-and-forward
- Remote patient monitoring
- Interactive services
Store-and- forward telemedicine entails collection of medical data such as medical images and bio-signals which are then transmitted to a medical specialist at a suitable time to assess offline.
Self-monitoring, otherwise called remote monitoring, enables a medical specialist to monitor a patient from a distance with the aid of different technological devices.
Real-time interactivity enables electronic consultation. This makes interaction between patients and their doctors possible. Video conferencing has been applied widely to reach patients in real-time. Health professionals can carry out various services including diagnosis, counselling management and monitoring using real-time interactivity.
Telemedicine Benefits the Patient
The benefits of telemedicine to the patient are enormous. Not only does moving from a place to another become irrelevant, traveling risks are also avoided. It also saves the patient the cost of travelling. It makes the process of consulting a doctor convenient. For instance, the application of telemedicine in Pakistan offers communities access to quality healthcare that ordinarily do not have good medical facilities in their vicinity.
Telemedicine Applications
The effectiveness of telemedicine brings together both humans and technology which includes:
- The telemedicine provider, who is the professional on the field
- Telecommunication appliances, ICT equipment and communication services.
- Mobile-based telemedicine app which makes it easier to receive treatments on the go.
There is everything to gain in the changes telemedicine has brought into the healthcare system of the modern world. It not only improved medical health performance and the healthcare sector but more importantly has made accessing healthcare services a lot easier, faster and affordable for patients. The system is surely the game changer for patients in the remote cities and communities!