Not only has telemedicine entirely changed and redefined medicine, it has also completely revolutionized medicine across all specialties. Specialists such as orthodontists, cardiothoracic surgeons, pediatricians and many others benefit from the use of telemedicine.
Telecommunication technologies such as two way video feed, smartphones, emails and many other applications that allow patients to access specialists in a particular field has made it extremely convenient for both doctors and patients. Not only does it boost ultimate convenience, telemedicine is also extremely cost effective.
Here are some ways that telemedicine has benefited the specialty care.
High Quality Treatment for Burn Patients
It is true that burn patients require physical presence of the doctor as they need to be resuscitated immediately. However, telemedicine can still be of immense help in such as case.
With the help of live video conferencing or emailing digital images of the burn injuries doctors can consult other specialists in the field and come up with a treatment procedure which can minimize the potential risks, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the treatment. This also reduces the need to transport burn patients from one hospital to another.
Furthermore, telemedicine is also convenient for patients as it allows follow-up appointment with their doctors without them having to make an unnecessary trip to the hospital. Thereby, saving the time of both, the specialist and the patient.
Numerous telemedicine programs have been introduced for burn patients who live in rural areas and do not have access to specialists. Thus, allowing them to connect with burn physicians, burn therapists, plastic surgery surgeons etc.
Access to Oncology Care for Rural Patients
Cancer requires diligent care and treatment because of the severe nature of the disease. However, many people from rural areas are particularly at risk of developing cancer compared to the ones in urban areas. Since they don’t have access to quality care and treatment, they are likely to go undiagnosed which makes them more vulnerable.
However, telemedicine programs for oncology have made it possible for people to get equitable care and treatment. Because of the distance and travel issue for rural patients, tele-oncology was introduced in 90s and has become quite mainstream today. Thereby, receding the barriers caused by geography. Televideo and various other telemedicine applications have made it possible for rural patients to seek treatment advice from oncologists. Once the patient agrees to the telemedicine treatment, the local nurse or physician is directed by the urban oncologist regarding the prognosis and treatment plan.
Telemedicine has indeed revolutionized the field of specialty care and is continuing to do so. Though there are multiple challenges like limited bandwidth, there is work going on to overcome them.
