If you like the idea of seeing your doctor over a video conference on your laptop or smartphone, you are not alone. According to research by Software Advice in 2019, 75% of survey respondents are interested in trying telemedicine (https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/telemedicine-benefits/). Telemedicine has been used in a limited way for decades, but it is only now becoming more mainstream. This is because so many people have access to high-speed internet connections and the devices necessary to perform a video visit.

The idea of managing health in this way is not new and the earliest use goes back to the invention of the telephone. As early as 1879, The Lancet journal discussed how the telephone could be used to reduce unnecessary doctor visits.

It is essential to acknowledge that not every condition can be managed over telemedicine or a video call. Your doctor will know when it is safe and effective to conduct an encounter using telemedicine. For those conditions that are, studies have shown that there is no detectable difference in the ability of a provider to gather necessary information, make an accurate diagnosis, and develop a plan for treatment. In short, video visits result in the same desired clinical outcomes as in-person care when used appropriately.

When Video Visits Can Replace In-office Visits

Video visits can be used to replace in-office visits in a number of ways. Examples include:

• Follow-Up Exams: Providers often recommend a follow up visit after beginning a course of treatment. These visits are important to the ultimate resolution or management of the problem. Doing them remotely makes it easier for you to comply with the doctor’s recommendations. It also benefits the patient by saving the time and cost of commuting between their home, workplace and the doctor’s office.
• Urgent Care: Both traditional out-patient departments and stand-alone clinics are starting to offer telemedicine as an option for urgent care needs. Conditions such as the flu, sinus infections, urinary tract infections, and more can be effectively treated without an in-office encounter.
• Specialty Care: Telemedicine makes it possible for patients to get access to the best specialist for their needs, not just the closest.

A telemedicine approach is gaining popularity with patients due to its many advantages. Here are a few:

No transportation time or costs

Typical clinic or hospital visits require that the doctor and patient are in the same place, at the same time. Consultations over telemedicine would save the patient commute costs and time taken in moving between their home, workplace and the doctor’s office.

No need to take time off of work

Generally, clinic or hospital visits could mean losing a few hours of your day during the commute over, waiting in queues and for processing through the different service points at the facility. With scheduled consults, a patient can book a consult for a time that is convenient for them and the consult can be taken from anywhere that is comfortable and private for them.  

On-demand options

Globally, more and more physician’s practices are offering telemedicine these days, so there is a good chance that a patient can connect to their doctor over video call. If you need remote access to care, our telemedicine solution offers both on-demand and scheduled consults. This can cover very many common minor and urgent care needs allowing you to access care when you need it.

Access to Specialists

Some patients who need the care of a specialist must drive long distances and invest a lot of time for each visit. Telemedicine makes it possible for you and your primary care physician to leverage the expertise of specialists who are not nearby. When it comes to serious health issues, you may want to consult with the best, not the closest.

Less Chance of Catching a New Illness

While clinics and hospitals do their best to minimise infection transmission in their facilities, the risk of this is never entirely eliminated especially in crowded waiting rooms. COVID-19 has placed even greater emphasis on the need to reduce general infection transmission through social distancing wherever possible. By engaging telemedicine services, you reduce the risk of contracting infections either at the health facility or in the commute to and from there. You can get the care you need right from the comfort of your home or office and reduce your risk of exposure to infectious disease significantly. In the case that you are suffering from a potential infectious illness, you would be reducing the risk of exposures to others by consulting your doctor over telemedicine.

Better Health

When you are able to see your doctor as often as you need to, without the challenges of getting into the office, you can practice better management of your medication, lifestyle, and any chronic conditions you might have.

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With the range of benefits for both patients and doctors, it is not surprising that the adoption of telemedicine is growing.

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