Photo by AARP
With the continuous improvement of technology comes the rise of telemedicine. You have probably heard about telemedicine, but what exactly is telemedicine? It is the remote diagnosis or treatment of a patient through technology or telecommunication.
Telemedicine is a very convenient and effective way to receive treatment for a variety of illnesses as you might not be able to get to the doctor easily. Most insurances cover telecommunication now and more doctors are offering these services to their patients. There are many reasons and benefits in the rise in telecommunication that include the following.
There could be many different reasons why you might not be able to get to your doctor when you are sick or have an injury. Are you unable to leave your home because of the weather or because your car is in the shop? Or maybe you are older and unable to get a ride to the doctor. This is where the beauty of telemedicine comes in. All you have to do is just login to your phone, tablet or computer to video chat with your doctor. You can describe all of your symptoms or even show your injuries. With the ability to see the issue, your doctor can give a more proper diagnosis along with treatment options. Telemedicine is confidential and you can receive treatment just like when visiting the doctor. With telemedicine, there is no need to worry about sitting in a waiting room full of other people who are sick and spreading germs.
Telemedicine is very beneficial when you are suffering from a rash or when a little kid is sick as it is much easier to discuss over video chat. Most places also offer the delivery of medications so that you don’t have to leave your home at all. Even if you are out of town, telemedicine will come in handy, especially if you are unable to find a doctor in your area. Just remember, that not everything can be diagnosed over telemedicine or treated without a visit, but you can find some comfort and treatment options until you can get into the doctor’s office.
If you are looking for a simple renewal of your prescription, you can use telemedicine to save you time. Your doctor will be able to renew or make any changes if needed. Also, if you have a cold or flu, you can talk with your doctor to find out the best medicine to use without having to leave your home. Rashes or other injuries can also be diagnosed over telemedicine. A simple follow-up can also be done using telemedicine.
You may need to follow-up with your doctor in person if your illness or injury is severe enough or doesn’t get better. Telemedicine can help get the ball rolling so you know what you are looking at when it comes to diagnosis and treatment options. You can easily search for telemedicine options that are best for you or talk openly with your regular doctor to see if this is something they may offer or consider offering. You can also find more advice on using telemedicine along with mental health with the help of online resources.
