In the new times, there has been more emphasis on the aspect of information technology and telecommunication reforms and its application towards enhancing health care service delivery. Telemedicine broadly defines advanced levels of telecommunications to make a diagnosis, conduct research, transmit patient data, and/or to improve the management and treatment of disease in remote locations. The focus is on remote usage of telecommunications technologies. This paper is a short review of telemedicine and its possible clinical use, and the different advantages and foremost concerns of this technology. It also narrates chosen telemedicine ventures carried out in the School of Medicine in the University of Maryland in Baltimore.
Origin of telemedicine
The concept of telemedicine dates back to 1905 with Willem Einthoven who successfully transmitted heart sounds using his electrocardiograph inventions over the existing telephone lines and in 1924, he was awarded the noble prize. This planted the seed to have telecommunications be used in the delivery of medical services at a distance, a practice which grew in application over the next century with expanded uses occurring in various countries over the 20th century.
Modern definition of telemedicine
Modern telemedicine applies information and communication technologies to provide healthcare services, consisting of clinical care, patient education, and professional training through a distance. It facilitates live communication through audio and video, sharing of patient data to diagnose and treat patients remotely as well as monitoring through a variety of e-devices eliminating the need to travel, between patients and provider
Why telehealth use?
Telemedicine eliminates the need to visit a physician in person by driving to the office or clinic, parking, walking in the waiting room, when you are unwell. You will be seeing your doctor sitting in the comfort of your bed or on your sofa. Virtual visits offer a greater opportunity to be integrated within brief free time.
Importance of telemedicine
Better Access to Medical care
- Telemedicine can overcome the distance between patients and medical services, particularly in rural or remote locations, or in resource-poor regions or settings.
- It helps those who may find it hard to travel-the aged, physically challenged or anyone without means to transport themselves, to access timeous care.
Better patient engagement
- Better patient engagement can be achieved by focusing on patient education, patient-provider shared decision-making and technology that is user-friendly to allow a high level of patient empowerment to make informed care choices.
- More highly engaged patients would experience better health outcomes, and be more likely to make meaningful changes in their behaviors to better adhere to recommended
Quick access to rehabilitation physicians
- Patients can refer to the specialists and consult them irrespective of the geographical dispersion.
- Saves time of waiting and speeds the pace of treatment decisions.
Efficiency for doctors
- For example, doctors can see more patients per hour, manage their schedules more conveniently , etc.
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and digital tools simplify diagnosis, documentation and follow-up.
Management of communicable disease
- Doctors can use virtual visit appointments to screen patients at risk of infectious disease in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19, flu, and other communicable illness.
- It even preserves the need of the sick people to come to the office. Exposure to other people’s germs is decreased which benefits anyone, but specifically those who are chronically ill, pregnant, elderly or have weakened immune systems.
Goal of telemedicine:
The objectives of telehealth, often termed e-health or m-health (mobile health), include the following: Allow people in remote/rural communities to use health care more easily. Protect you and other people in case you become infected with a contagious illness, like COVID-19. Provide primary care of most disorders.
Type of telemedicine
- Real-time Interactive Services (Synchronized)
This is real-time, bi-directional communication between a patient and a medical professional and the connection is made with the use of video conferencing.
Examples include face-timing with doctors, specialist visits and therapy sessions with the doctors.
- Remote Patient On the internet Monitoring
RPM exploits technology to monitor the health information of the patient remotely, which in most cases can be done through some wearable gadgets or even sensors.
This enables medical practitioners to keep track of patients with chronic or post-surgery patients.
Examples are the blood pressure, level of blood sugar, or heart rate.
- Teleneuropsychology
Teleneuropsychology is such an example of telemedicine practice as it helped to provide neuropsychological consultation and assessment via telephone, with patients identified to have or suspected to have a cognitive disorder.
Advantages of Telemedicine
Telemedicine has attendant benefits such as more access to care, convenience, cost reduced care, and challenges such as lack of physical exam, need of technology and internet, privacy and confidentiality risks, and possible problems with diagnosis of some diseases.
More Accessibility and convenience
Remote care also gives patients an opportunity to save time and money on travelling as well as those with mobility challenges may not be able to travel long distances, thus, limited to the place of treatment.
Greater Care Coordination
Through telemedicine platforms, a higher quality of communication and data sharing between multiple care providers can be achieved to enhance coordination.
Disadvantages of Telemedicine
The disadvantages of telemedicine are the impossibility to conduct full physical examinations, technical and connectivity problems, information security and privacy breaches, lack of a personal involvement with patients, the extension of the digital divide towards patients who do not have the needful technology and digital literacy.
Physical Examination Limited
The inability to carry out comprehensive physical assessments, which are essential in proper diagnosis and quality care is one of its major disadvantages.
Not Suggested For Abstract Conditions
Telemedicine does not work with all medical cases as some cases need physical body examination or medical procedures.
Conclusion
The takeaway on telemedicine is that it is not a fad but a long-term and positive component of the healthcare system, which has made access to healthcare easier and less burdensome, has enabled humanized and personalized services, and expanded the healthcare capacity, particularly in areas with fewer clinics. Despite this, there are undeniable benefits that can be brought to patients, economies and healthcare providers, so further investment, training and mainstreaming within the health care infrastructure is an important step in the future.
