THE HISTORY, FUTURE, AND BENEFITS OF TELEMEDICINE.
Telemedicine overview.
With recent drastic evolution in the medical provision, the incorporation of new technology into healthcare makes it hard for one to answer the question, what is telemedicine? Henceforth, it is imperative to understand the mobile health terms such as telehealth to create a comprehensive definition. Telemedicine defines the use of communications technologies and electronic information to support and provide healthcare to patients or doctors separated by distance. Telemedicine stems from telehealth but involves the communication between a doctor and patient remotely through media such as video-chats.
History and future.
Medical practitioners delivered healthcare via exploiting the earliest forms of telecommunication technology such as telephone and radio. For instance, the 1950s saw the development of the Teleradiology system in Canada, and the University of Nebraska convey neurological examinations. The latter utilized a two-way interactive television.
The technology advanced in the 1960s, a telemedicine link transmitted health services over a distance of 112 miles leading to the expansion of services to rural areas. Additionally, the United States government invested heavily in researching and expanding the field, for instance, the delivery of electro-cardiac rhythm over radio channels. Currently, the scope is increasing due to technological advancement and affordability. Types include televisits, telesupervision, telemonitoring, teleinterpretation, and teleconsultation.
The future in the field involves the incorporation of policy and research. Medical experts can access information for research easily since the number of smartphones and availability is high. Secondly, future challenges might stem from reimbursement and regulatory concerns. These are challenges that face telemedicine companies and health practitioners in terms of variation of reimbursement and compliance with the Health Insurance Profitability and Accountability Act.
Future advancement involves online health and call centers for patients to treat themselves via prerecorded videos by doctors and nurses.
Telemedicine companies and benefits.
Telemedicine companies are organizations that develop programs that improve access to healthcare to a population that is not in the position of receiving care. These companies have programs that assist patients in monitoring their conditions and a means to communicate with a doctor or nurse to improve their health. The telemedicine companies differ in service delivery on their platforms, so patients use the services fit for their treatment goals or consultation. The most common avenues available include virtual appointments and patient portals.
The incorporation of telemedicine into the clinical setting is challenging, but individual hospitals have achieved positive results. Using this subset of telehealth, hospitals and clinical settings have reported a reduction in hospital visits and the overall cost of treatment. Home telenursing in the United Kingdom for the chronically ill indicated a decrease in the number of home visits and the cost of treatment. The study involves a controlled group and patients equipped with a videophone, and digital stethoscopes and pressure monitor.
Furthermore, studies in Finland indicate it reduces the cost of traditional referral systems to outpatient clinics. The Swinfen Trust project in India promoting electronic referrals means that email referrals are a cost-effective method. Teleconsultation has become a more common and effective method of healthcare provision. The system allows for communication and consultation between specialists and general practitioners.
Teleconsulting involves practitioners in the field of cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, psychiatry, and orthopedics. Consultation occurs via a video-call, photos, and voice calls. Additionally, real-time video calls are applied during medical injuries or emergencies between nurses and a practitioner specialized in medical emergencies.