What Can Be Treated Through Telemedicine?

Saves Time On Patient Visits

Hospitals are breaking over backward trying to accommodate the volume of cases and patients every day. With tactical scheduling, overworked physicians, which is just as true in the United States as it is everywhere else, can transform long hospital visits to quick, comprehensive consultation sessions over video chat.

Instead of having to squeeze multiple patients in-between urgent care, physicians can save time on unnecessary patient visits and determine whether or not a hospital visit is necessary through video chat. Telemedicine streamlines the consultation process and eliminates unnecessary hospital visits, which will allow hospitals to distribute their resources more efficiently.

Consistent Patient Care

With telemedicine, hospitals and medical practices can put basic patient care functions on autopilot. By using a smart calendar and notification system, patients can be instantly reminded of follow-up sessions and improve successful follow-up rates.

When it comes to preventative care and post-hospital care maintenance, doctors can send out an email blast detailing at-home monitoring techniques, on top of regular video calls. Educational materials such as articles, web pages, and videos can be distributed to patients, giving them access to real medical information whenever they need it.

By eliminating the need to physically visit a hospital, patients are no longer obligated to take the time off their busy lives for a doctor visit, which will allow more patients to participate in preventative care and take on a more responsible role when managing their own health.

Lower Readmission Rates

With improved communication with their primary physicians, hospitals can encourage patients to be more compliant. Because consultations will become more regular, patients are inclined to listen to their physician’s instructions and take steps to improve their health. This is especially beneficial for patients with chronic diseases, as well as patients who are at a high risk of developing comorbidities.

More Access To Specialists

Patients in remote areas don’t always have access to local specialists. You can create a trusted network of primary care physicians and specialists via telemedicine technology, which will allow you to connect your patients with specialized care regardless of their location. This removes the burden of traveling long distances to receive a diagnosis in part of the patient or conduct a consultation in part of the physician.

Reduced Healthcare Costs

With telemedicine, patients can save on transportation and other costs associated with an in-person visit. This is especially important to patients with chronic health problems or patients that require consistent monitoring. With frequent check-ups and improved compliance, patients can also improve their health at home and avoid rehospitalization.

As for physicians, telemedicine allows doctors to be properly compensated for their time. Instead of answering patient inquiries over the phone at random times, remote consultations are now billable and organized through a schedule.

Telerehabilitation

Telemedicine redefines rehabilitation by showing patients that medical professionals don’t have to be on-site to provide the same level of support.

Telemedicine allows physical therapists and other rehab professionals to care for patients with specialized devices. On top of video calls, telerehabilitation typically includes other technologies including sensors that measure blood pressure, glucose levels, and physical activity. These will allow clinicians to monitor their patient’s progress and overall well-being the same way they would in a hospital.

Recorded activities and video conferences in real-time can guide patients suffering from acute and traumatic injuries, regardless of where they’re located.

Teledermatology

Before seeking out a dermatologist, patients with access to telemedicine services can consult with their primary physician regarding skin anomalies. By exchanging photos and conducting video consultation, primary care doctors can determine whether or not a skin anomaly requires urgent care. Additionally, prescriptions for allergies, skin inflammations, and other skin issues can be delivered via telemedicine.

Telepsychiatry

Telepsychiatry is the practice of conducting psychological and psychiatric evaluations and sessions over video call. With unimpeded access, psychiatrists can observe higher participation rates and improved quality of life, especially in rural areas.

Patients receiving psychiatric services overcome common burdens associated with getting mental health treatments via telemedicine. Because sessions are conducted at home, the stigma of being seeking out a psychologist is reduced.

As with other applications of telemedicine, patients now have the opportunity to find a psychiatrist that works for them, instead of limiting their options due to geographical location.

Teleradiology

Getting second opinions for imaging results is a common concern for patients. For those with limited radiology clinics in their area, telemedicine opens up the possibility of seeking out a professional with an entirely different medical history and therefore reaching a more nuanced diagnosis.

For practices, this means more bookings and consultations. By opening up your radiology practice to non-local customers, you can expand your clinic’s reach and provide your services to an entirely new market.

Symptom Management and Diagnosis

Acute health problems don’t always warrant a hospital visit. With telemedicine, primary care physicians can provide diagnosis and treatment outside of the doctor’s office. This is applicable to issues like the cold or flu, diarrhea, acute infections, bladder infections, allergies, and other conditions that can be treated at home and don’t require urgent care. For the most part, these health problems can be remedied with prescription medication and stay-at-home care.

Patients concerned over new symptoms can easily acquire peace of mind by consulting remotely with their doctor. This reduces treatment delays and allows the patient to move forward at their own pace.

Post-Hospitalization Care

Going back to the hospital after surgery or rehabilitation can be tricky for some patients, especially those who are living alone or have mobility issues. With telemedicine services, patients can participate in post-hospitalization care without having to leave the comfort of their homes. Patient monitoring becomes possible, reducing the risk of complications and infections, especially with surgeries.

Follow-Up Visits

Follow-up visits can be a burden to patients with scheduling difficulties, so much so that most patients opt out of second visits due to travel issues. By adopting telemedicine, your physicians can administer consistent clinical care remotely and deliver news, schedule additional tests, or prescribe medicine in a way that is more convenient for patients.

Chronic Disease Management

Chronic diseases require constant medical attention and participation in part of the patient, which might not be feasible for everyone. With scheduling constraints, sticking to regular hospital visits might not be favorable for all patients.

With telemedicine, chronic disease management becomes more convenient. It’s easier to help patients maintain good health with regular online updates as opposed to limited in-hospital contact.

Primary Care Physician Consultation

Overcrowded emergency rooms are a common issue in the United States. With telemedicine, patients can consult with their primary care physicians, who will then decide whether their case warrants a visit to the emergency room. Doing so allows hospitals to allocate limited emergency room capacity properly and actually focus on patients who need urgent care.

Patients with compromised immune systems will also benefit from this; they can have continued access to clinical services even without a hospital visit. With remote patient access, they can enjoy the same level of convenient care, without having to worry about exposing themselves to the hospital environment.

Prescriptions

With telemedicine, acquiring additional prescriptions becomes hassle-free. To prevent drug abuse, hospitals using telemedicine for medical prescriptions are expected to abide by pharmacology laws, including limiting supply to no more than 30 days and limiting drug prescriptions to controlled substances and other addicting non-therapeutic drugs.

Counselling and Behavioral Health

Research shows that telepsychiatry is a viable form of treatment and that results from video conferencing are comparable to results resulting from conventional treatment. This is true among diverse demographics, which goes to show that telepsychiatry works as a more accessible alternative to visiting a psychiatrist in the doctor’s office.

In fact, telepsychiatry might even lead to improved compliance on the patient’s part. Because patients don’t have to go out of their way to schedule their sessions, they have can still have access to medical education and convenient care, even when they are too busy to make time.