The Covid-19 Pandemic has challenged the entire world. As a result, global healthcare faces challenges like never before to tackle the Pandemic. People to People contact is reduced to the bare minimum. It has decreased the possibility of patients seeking quick medical help by contacting healthcare service providers due to the fear of contracting the virus.
The introduction of Telemedicine has come as a boon to both patients and doctors. It has become an ideal and economical source of reaching high-quality healthcare provider especially to remote parts of the country. How much of an effect does it continue to have on the patient’s mind?! Well, it is safe to say that it has taken healthcare to the next level.
Telemedicine and Covid-19
Covid-19 has cast a shadow on just about every type of healthcare service irrespective of the branch of medicine. It is observed that doctors and patients have expressed reluctance in seeing each other due to the fear of catching the virus. However, this does not lead to any solution to arrest the spread of the virus. Telemedicine has come as a ray of hope and a silver lining in the dark Covid clouds.
Telemedicine has specifically benefitted people living in rural areas as it involves the delivery of long-distance or remote healthcare via electronic communication and information technologies. Patient to Doctor contact is now much improved and frequent. It is not just about the clinical services delivered with the help of technology. It also helps in distance education of patients and counselling them on their present health condition.
The Role of Telemedicine in the Covid-19 Crisis
The emergence of Telemedicine has been able to bridge the gap between patients needing emergency consultations and doctors to a great extent. Patients can now access a wide range of healthcare services like primary care, psychiatry, ophthalmology, dermatology, dentistry, audiology, cardiology, oncology, obstetrics, intensive care and emergency services. The Pandemic has posed considerable challenges for patients requiring treatment for chronic illnesses. Telemedicine has done a great job in,
- Ensuring Patient Safety
- Ensuring Provider Safety
- Addressing Patient Safety Concerns
- Keeping up with Insurance formalities for patients needing hospitalization.
- Educating and counselling people through healthcare programmes.
With a robust TeleHealth infrastructure in place, patients may receive more timely diagnoses and treatment recommendations, more appropriate follow-up care, and a reduced likelihood of experiencing an adverse event due to delayed assessment and treatment.
Conclusion
Covid-19 is an acid test for the global healthcare system. Telemedicine, if implemented correctly, can be the correct approach in ensuring patient and provider safety during this unprecedented outbreak. Telemedicine is a creative and innovative approach that can have long-lasting impacts on the future of TeleHealth. As providers and patients become more familiar with the technical aspects of Telemedicine and as patients’ understanding of both the benefits and limitations of TeleHealth increases, Telemedicine will become a part of standard practice for delivering safe, high-quality healthcare. To know more about how Telemedicine will be an asset, please visit us at Apollo TeleHealth, your trusted TeleHealth services partner.
