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Contents
- Telemedicine – a new trend in medicine?
- Telemedicine – why is it popular?
- Telemedicine – what technologies does it use?
- Telemedicine – what does the consultation include?
- Telemedicine – types of visits
- Telemedicine – indications
- Who uses telemedicine most often?
- Telemedicine – what kind of doctors can you use?
- Blood tests by phone
- Telemedicine – a solution in a difficult situation
- Telemedicine – benefits for seniors
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Until recently, telemedicine was only a novelty from the future. However, it is becoming an increasingly popular form of contact with a doctor. During a telephone conversation, a specialist may not only issue an e-prescription, but also order tests. What exactly is telemedicine? Can it help reduce queues at clinics? We check what telemedicine allows.
Telemedicine – a new trend in medicine?
Although telemedicine has become popular in Poland relatively recently, it has been present in the world since the second half of the 1957th century, and more precisely since XNUMX. When Laika was in orbit around the Earth, special computers were responsible for monitoring her health. Telemedicine initially gained supporters only in the United States, but due to its numerous benefits, it also became popular in Europe. Currently, more and more Poles are willing to talk to a doctor on the phone, instead of making an appointment.
Telemedicine – why is it popular?
The most important factor behind the popularity of telemedicine is convenience – a patient can make an appointment with a doctor at any time. He does not have to be in his place of residence to talk to a specialist. In addition, more and more doctors decide to see patients online. The cost of e-visits is also lower – this aspect mainly concerns paid consultations.
Telemedicine – what technologies does it use?
The basis of telemedicine is access to the Internet in order to be able to set up an electronic account in a selected facility offering e-consultations with a doctor. In addition, more and more facilities allow you to install an application that definitely facilitates access to medical records.
- See also: How can I sign up for a family doctor?
Telemedicine – what does the consultation include?
As part of telemedicine in a selected facility, the patient may:
- choose a specialist and make an e-visit at any time;
- create your own online account where his medical records will be kept;
- upload all medical documents to which the doctor will have access;
- get an e-referral or e-prescription without leaving your home;
- perform telemedicine tests that are integrated with the system of a given facility;
- ask the doctor additional questions after the consultation;
- the patient’s health may be monitored as part of telecare.
Telemedicine – types of visits
The most popular form of using telemedicine is a telephone conversation between the patient and the specialist. In addition, online services offer a chat with a doctor or a videoconference, during which the patient will be able to show the skin changes to the specialist (e.g. during a virtual meeting with a dermatologist).
Telemedicine – indications
Telemedicine, as already mentioned, consists mainly in a telephone conversation with a doctor. In this case, the best choice is a specialist who knows the patient’s medical history. She is able to talk to him about his health as well as write an e-prescription.
Thus, the first indication to use telemedicine is issuing a virtual prescription, as well as the feeling (on the part of the patient) of being cared for by a doctor. In addition, you can make an appointment online in an emergency, while you are far from home (e.g. during a holiday abroad).
Who uses telemedicine most often?
Most often, telemedicine is used by people who need constant contact with a doctor, especially:
- seniors who have chronic diseases;
- people with cardiovascular problems;
- asthmatics;
- diabetes;
Telemedicine is also used by people who lead an intense lifestyle that does not allow them to wait long for an appointment with a specialist.
Telemedicine – what kind of doctors can you use?
More and more doctors decide to introduce telemedicine as one of their activities in the care of patients. For this reason, it is worth mentioning at least a few professions:
- general practitioner / internist;
- pediatrician;
- allergist;
- endocrinologist;
- diabetologist;
- dermatologist;
- gynecologist;
- psychologist;
- cardiologist;
- neurologist;
- nephrologist.
You can also make an appointment for a telephone consultation with an orthopedist (in this case the preferred form of contact is videoconference) or a dentist.
You can decide for yourself whether you will consult by phone, chat or during a videoconference. Check who can accept you within 10 minutest. It is also possible to change the current health care clinic. Thanks to this, remote consultations with a family doctor under the National Health Fund will be free. See what the change process looks like
Blood tests by phone
As part of a telephone consultation, you can make an appointment for basic preventive examinations without leaving your home. Telemedicine offers a solution in which the nurse will come to the patient to take blood from him for testing, and the results will be available in the system of the facility.
The second form of facilitating the conduct of preventive examinations is issuing an e-referral by a doctor. The patient goes for tests on the agreed date, but the results are sent directly to the specialist, which definitely facilitates communication.
Telemedicine – a solution in a difficult situation
Telemedicine also turns out to be a great solution in an emergency. Certainly, one of them is the aforementioned trip abroad, during which we will need to consult a specialist. In some cases, an on-line consultation is a good solution because some people do not want to talk about their problems directly.
- Find out more: What is an e-visit?
Telemedicine – benefits for seniors
Telemedicine is a good solution for seniors who must be under the constant care of a specialist in a given field (e.g. a cardiologist).
Telemonitoring of the health of seniors is, above all, a sign of safety.
XNUMX/XNUMX contact with a doctor in the case of chronically ill people is extremely important. In an emergency, the patient will receive immediate help.
Do you have questions about telemedicine? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. All the most important information on telemedicine can be found HERE: Telemedicine – frequently asked questions and answers
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