The world today relies heavily on technology and rightly so. Technology has made many things a lot easier than was the case previously. The provision of healthcare is no exception. Technology has been incorporated in many aspects of providing preventive and curative health services which has served to improve efficiency in a remarkable manner. This is what has given rise to the concept of telehealth.
There are several factors that have led to this change of practice. The main driver for the change appears to be improved technology. Sharing of videos and pictures is very easy today and live chats have made things even more real time. Patients and their healthcare providers can thus be in touch regularly. Another important improvement has occurred in the pharmaceutical industry. Today, there are many effective drugs that can be safely administered at home hence no need for admission to hospital.
The management of chronic conditions is perhaps one area that has benefited the most after a significant number of physicians adopted the technology. Persons suffering from conditions such as heart failure, asthma, hypertension and diabetes often have to make regular trips to their physicians for check up and continuation or change of medication. This is both exhausting and expensive. This technology has made it possible to do all this remotely.
Doctors often have to consult with each other in the course of discharging their duties. Teleconferencing allows them to deliberate on certain challenging cases as a team even when they are not in the same geographical location. The history and physical findings can be shared among several experts and a solution can be reached faster than waiting for everyone to be in direct contact with the patient.
The service has created a platform for collaboration between different providers. This is an important aspect of patient treatment especially when one considers the rare conditions that require wide consultation and expert opinion. Doctors are now able to share and discuss challenging cases with colleagues so as to get the best possible solutions for their patients. Logistical challenges experienced previously have been eliminated.
Like many other major disruptions, this technology faced resistance in its formative stages. Older professionals found it difficult to transition to a form of practice where a significant part of their practice had to be computer driven. Many others feared that telemedicine would replace them as practitioners. However, they have learned to work with the technology after realizing the numerous benefits associated with it.
Many patients have readily accepted the new way of doing things but some still have reservations. One of the causes for concern is their own privacy. Reassurances have centred around restrictions in access to private patient information. Only authorized healthcare professionals have accounts with accompanying user names and passwords. Moreover, information can only be extracted or shared with the consent of the patient.
The use of telecommunication systems in the provision of healthcare services is a train that has already left the station. Stakeholders need to accept and carve out their space. Although a number of concerns still exist, there is no doubt that the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. Many patients are projected to be beneficiaries of these systems in years to come.
There are several factors that have led to this change of practice. The main driver for the change appears to be improved technology. Sharing of videos and pictures is very easy today and live chats have made things even more real time. Patients and their healthcare providers can thus be in touch regularly. Another important improvement has occurred in the pharmaceutical industry. Today, there are many effective drugs that can be safely administered at home hence no need for admission to hospital.
The management of chronic conditions is perhaps one area that has benefited the most after a significant number of physicians adopted the technology. Persons suffering from conditions such as heart failure, asthma, hypertension and diabetes often have to make regular trips to their physicians for check up and continuation or change of medication. This is both exhausting and expensive. This technology has made it possible to do all this remotely.
Doctors often have to consult with each other in the course of discharging their duties. Teleconferencing allows them to deliberate on certain challenging cases as a team even when they are not in the same geographical location. The history and physical findings can be shared among several experts and a solution can be reached faster than waiting for everyone to be in direct contact with the patient.
The service has created a platform for collaboration between different providers. This is an important aspect of patient treatment especially when one considers the rare conditions that require wide consultation and expert opinion. Doctors are now able to share and discuss challenging cases with colleagues so as to get the best possible solutions for their patients. Logistical challenges experienced previously have been eliminated.
Like many other major disruptions, this technology faced resistance in its formative stages. Older professionals found it difficult to transition to a form of practice where a significant part of their practice had to be computer driven. Many others feared that telemedicine would replace them as practitioners. However, they have learned to work with the technology after realizing the numerous benefits associated with it.
Many patients have readily accepted the new way of doing things but some still have reservations. One of the causes for concern is their own privacy. Reassurances have centred around restrictions in access to private patient information. Only authorized healthcare professionals have accounts with accompanying user names and passwords. Moreover, information can only be extracted or shared with the consent of the patient.
The use of telecommunication systems in the provision of healthcare services is a train that has already left the station. Stakeholders need to accept and carve out their space. Although a number of concerns still exist, there is no doubt that the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. Many patients are projected to be beneficiaries of these systems in years to come.
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