2020 has made everyone rethink things. This year has gotten so bad that it has made people second guess going to the doctors. It is an understandable fear as the doctor’s office can be infested with the coronavirus. If you are someone who likes to help people in situations like these, there are many ways to help. The best way for you to help would be to make sure these people understand their options. Their best option may be telemedicine. You may not know what telemedicine is or how it works.
What is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine is something that will only get bigger, especially after this pandemic. Telemedicine makes it possible for physicians to treat patients whenever needed and wherever the patient is, by using a computer or smartphone. Usually, the service uses an online account or a toll-free phone number. Patients ask for a visit, submitting basic information on their condition, and then the physician either accepts or declines the visit or schedules it for the future. Telemedicine is a great technology, but may not be suitable for every practice or every situation. With this knowledge, a person will be able to now get the help they need without leaving the comfort of their home.
Different Types of Telemedicine
If you are going to inform people of telemedicine or develop a new app itself, it is important to know the different types of telemedicine. Before you learn how to develop a telemedicine app, you will want to know everything there is to know about them so you are ahead of the game.
- Store and Forward – This type goes past the need for the doctor to meet in person with a patient. Instead, data such as medical images or biosignals can be sent to the doctor as needed when it has been acquired from the patient. This practice is common in the medical fields of dermatology, radiology, and pathology.
- Remote Monitoring – This uses a variety of devices to monitor the health and clinical signs of the patient remotely. This type is usually used in the management of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and asthma. The benefits of remote monitoring include cost-effectiveness, more frequent monitoring, and greater patient satisfaction. The downside of this type is that tests are done by the patients themselves and may be inaccurate, but the outcomes are generally thought to be similar to professional-patient tests.
In the end, educating yourself with telemedicine is something that needs to be done whether you are someone who is trying to develop an app or you are someone who is trying to help others get the medical needs they require. It is a noble cause to put your time and effort into helping others. What you do not want is to give someone bad advice or launch an app that will hinder a person’s ability to get the attention they need. So get out there and do your research and make a difference in this world.
