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Teleconsultation: Transforming the Healthcare Sector

teleconsultion doctors

   The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, with innovation and technology now playing critical roles in the healthcare system. As doctors seek better ways to treat patients, technological advancements have resulted in numerous significant advancements in the healthcare field. Teleconsultation or telemedicine are examples of such technological advancements; individuals can now gain access to healthcare services or related information that was previously inaccessible due to distance or some other factor without any obstruction. 

    At Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals, we have seen a significant increase in the number of users embracing teleconsultation services for wellness and care strategies, particularly since the onset of the current COVID-19 pandemic. This phenomenon is not limited to our institution but has been observed in the majority of the country’s healthcare sector. Following the lockdown, many governments and private hospitals, e-pharmacies, and even corporations have made and continue to make significant strides in adapting and improving their services to fully utilize the convenience of teleconsultation technology.

What is Teleconsultation?

     Teleconsultation, also known as Telemedicine or Telehealth, is the practice of evaluating, diagnosing, and caring for patients from a distance using telecommunications technology. Although the approach has been used in a limited capacity for decades, it is rapidly becoming an essential and influential platform of healthcare delivery in India.

     Teleconsultation is not a medical specialty per se, but rather a method of providing clinical care via digital devices such as computers and smartphones. The majority of the time, this service is provided via video conferencing; however, a few providers choose to provide care via email or phone message. Many individuals use Teleconsultation for interacting with their primary care provider, while others use a dedicated Teleconsultation app to access virtual care. This includes audio and video conferencing for patient consultations, nurse advice lines, remote monitoring of vital signs, and transmission of scan & test results.

teleconsultation medication

Teleconsultation allows doctors to:

  • Determine whether or not a patient requires treatment in person.
  • Offer specific types of medical care, such as psychiatric treatment and examinations for minor illnesses.
  • Prescribe medication or renew them
  • Provide specific types of therapy, such as speech therapy and physical therapy

   This technology is useful when a patient must maintain physical distance or is unable to visit a medical facility in person.

Types of Teleconsultations

      As Teleconsultation is used to deliver clinical services at a distance this practice can be largely broken down into three types of solutions:

Store-and-forward Teleconsultation

      This is also referred to as “asynchronous telemedicine.” It is a method for healthcare professionals to share patient information such as lab results, imaging reports, videos, and other documents with a doctor, radiologist, or a specialist at a different location. It’s similar to email, but it’s done with a solution that includes sophisticated security features to guarantee patient confidentiality.

      It is also a convenient way for patients, primary care providers, and specialists to collaborate because they can all review the information at their leisure. This method provides patients with access to a care team made up of providers from various locations, even if they are separated by vast distances and time zones.

      Store-and-forward teleconsultation is especially popular for diagnosing and treating patients in certain specialties such as dermatology, radiology, and ophthalmology.

 

Remote Patient Monitoring

      Remote patient monitoring, also known as “telemonitoring,” is a technique that allows healthcare providers to remotely monitor a patient’s vital signs and other activities. This type of monitoring is frequently used to oversee high-risk patients, such as those with heart conditions and those that have recently been discharged from the hospital.

      Remote monitoring can also help with the treatment of a wide range of chronic conditions. Diabetics, for example, can use it to track their blood sugar levels and send the information to their physician. Elderly people at home or within assisted living facilities can be supervised easily and affordably.

 

Real-time Teleconsultation

      When you think of Teleconsultation, you probably think of real-time video visits. Patients and providers use video conferencing software to hear and see each other during a real-time Teleconsultation encounter. While the other types of teleconsultations are used to supplement traditional in-person visits, real-time teleconsultation can be used in some cases to replace a trip to the doctor’s office. It is popular for general practice, emergency treatment, follow-up visits, medication adherence, and chronic disease management.

     It is worth noting that consumer videoconference apps such as Skype or Slack, which we use to communicate with friends and coworkers, are not suitable for teleconsultation. Teleconsultation encounters should be carried out using technology that’s been designed to protect patient privacy and comply with stringent patient protection laws.

     Each type of teleconsultation allows providers to provide more effective and efficient patient care. They increase accessibility and make it easier for patients to get the care they require.

What Medical Services Can Be Offered Via Teleconsultation?

    Teleconsultation technologies are used to provide a wide range of clinical services, including:

Primary & Follow-Up Care

    In some cases, a high-definition video and audio-conferencing visit to the doctor’s office can replace an in-person visit. The doctor and patient communicate via a specially designed application on the computer or even a smartphone device. In this case, the patient could be anywhere and get a counsel from their doctor with adequate privacy.

Specialist Consultations

     Teleconsultation can be used to tap into the knowledge of specialists who are not physically available. When a video visit is performed, the patient may be in the office of their primary care physician. Alternatively, the primary care physician may use a Teleconsultation technique known as “store-and-forward” to send the pertinent information to the specialist for analysis.

Urgent Care

      Teleconsultation can be used to provide urgent care services by both stand-alone urgent care clinics and primary care physician’s offices. The several urgent but non-life-threatening conditions can be effectively diagnosed and treated remotely, allowing patients to avoid crowded clinics and emergency rooms.

Remote Patient Monitoring

      Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, can best be controlled with real-time information about a patient’s glucose count and vital signs. This type of data can be transmitted and stored using teleconsultation technology.

Psychiatric Services and Counseling

        Teleconsultation is ideal for providing psychiatric services, behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, and lifestyle coachings, such as weight loss and addiction treatment.

Assisted Living Support 

       Healthcare employees at care facilities and hospices can receive video support from remote providers, allowing patients to receive the medical care they require without the hassle of commuting.

Online Only Medical Services

       An increasing number of firms offer doctors and nurse practitioners online-only access. Patients can directly access the website and obtain on-demand care for a limited list of ailments.

teleconsultation hospitals

Benefits of Teleconsultation for Patients

       You are not alone if you prefer to see your doctor via video conference on your laptop or smartphone. Teleconsultation has been used in a limited capacity for decades but is only now becoming much more widely used. This is because so many people have access to high-speed internet connections and the devices required to conduct a video visit now. The teleconsultation approach is popular among patients due to its numerous benefits. Here are a few examples:

No travel time or costs

       By seeing your doctor via mobile device or computer, you can save money on fuel, carparks, and public transit. Even better, you do not even waste any time traveling or risk getting stuck in traffic, making you late for your appointment, or, worse, late returning to work.

No need to take time off work

      Speaking of work, video visits significantly reduce the need for time off. Simply schedule your appointment during a lunch break, before or after work. You can be anywhere that provides adequate privacy. You can follow your doctor’s recommendations and stay healthy without missing a day of work or wasting your valuable paid time off.

Get rid of any concerns regarding children or elder care.

      Those responsible for the care of children or the elderly sometimes may find it difficult and costly to seek alternative care from a doctor. It can be stressful or inconvenient to bring them along. But with teleconsultation, this problem by allowing you to see your doctor while still taking care of your family.

Options for on-demand consumption

       These days, many practicing physicians offer teleconsultation, so there’s a high likelihood you’ll be able to see your primary care provider via video. If you can’t, but still require remote care, there are many online-only, on-demand alternatives available today. They cannot treat every disorder, but they can address a wide range of issues. This type of care is even covered by some health insurers.

Consultation from Specialists

       A few patients who require the services of a specialist must travel long distances and devote significant time to each visit. Teleconsultation allows individuals and their family physicians to benefit from the expertise of specialists who are not in their area. Whenever it comes to serious medical issues, you should consult with the best, not the most convenient.

Reduced Risk of Contracting a New Disease

        Where could you be certain to find a large number of sick patients? Of course, at the doctor’s office. While every physician works hard to prevent one patient from catching an infection or illness from the other, it still can occur, especially in their crowded office or clinics. Staying home and consulting with teleconsultation allows you to receive the care you require while avoiding the risk of exposure and the possibility of spreading your illness to others.

Spending less time in the waiting area

       When you choose a video visit via teleconsultation technology, you’ll save hours spent in a doctor’s office flipping through old magazines. Even if you do not use this method, selecting a doctor who provides it can help you save time as they would offer this service to other patients via teleconsultation.

Improved Health

       Teleconsultation allows better management of your medication, lifestyle, and any chronic conditions you may have as you can see your doctor whenever you need to, without the challenges of getting an appointment.

Conclusion

       It’s no surprise, given this list, that people are looking for healthcare providers who offer convenient and cost-effective teleconsultation. This technology has the potential to have a significant positive impact on the entire healthcare system and is ready to make everyone’s life a little easier. Connect with Dr. Mehta’s Doctors, Specialists, and Care Providers via Teleconsultation. Many of our current patients are now taking advantage of this option to participate in a live video appointment with Dr. Mehta’s Hospital’s outpatient, primary, or specialty care providers.

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