Telemedicine, a trending technology that allows people to communicate with their doctor via telecommunication mediums including video conferencing, audio calls, text, emails, etc. This technology is already well adopted by Americans and many practitioners to save their time and assist as many people as possible with  healthcare services  at their fingertips.

PROS OF TELEMEDICINE

This trending  telemedicine technology  is very useful for today’s busy schedules, for both practitioners and patients. Let’s check out in how many ways it helps us save time and money –

1. Reduces Healthcare Cost

Using Telemedicine, a patient can connect with the practitioner irrespective of their location. It helps to reduce the transportation cost and efforts required to reach the doctor.

3. Improved Access to Care

Telemedicine acts as a bridge for healthcare services, mainly for specialized providers.  Telemedicine can be of great value  to patients in medically underserved areas and in remote geographic regions where there is a shortage of practitioners.

5. Increased Patient Engagement

Telemedicine technology makes it simpler and safer for patients to connect easily and stay healthy. Patients enjoy these services for the comfort, accessibility and real-time treatment it provides.

2. Reduced Travel Time

Another important benefit is that it reduces the travel time required to obtain access to specialized services. This is particularly useful in rural areas where the trip to a specialist in mental health will entail long drives, taking time off work and other expenses.

4. Enhances Typical Healthcare Services

With telemedicine, practitioners will continue to provide in-person services for patients while also offering the flexibility and convenience of seeing patients remotely for follow-up appointments, check-ups, and medical education if required.

6. Get the Second Opinion

Telemedicine software  is also useful for taking the second thought for your procedure. A doctor can easily connect with the patient to get the patient’s life and time.

Cons of Telemedicine

Every technology comes with some benefits and downsides. Telemedicine technology also poses some problems for practitioners to provide immaculate healthcare services. Although telemedicine is growing rapidly over the decade and it has also many benefits. Go through the below list which will help you review the disadvantages of Telemedicine –

1. Fewer in-person consultations

Every technology has limitations and this is the main drawback of this technology. A provider/Specialist cannot personally examine the patient and the prescription will be given by reports submitted by the patient. In such cases where the patient doesn’t require a physical examination, telehealth is a good alternative.

3. Inadequate Patients Record

Patients are using telemedicine services on demand. Due to which primary care providers may not be aware of the records from other visits. Shuffling of the service provider raises the likelihood of a doctor not understanding a patient’s background or their treatment routines.

2. Broadband Connections Issue

Telemedicine is a telecommunication technology where internet connection is a basic need for mobile services like video conferencing, chat, emails, etc. Adverse weather and other annoyances can cause a power outage or interrupt an Internet connection, complicating a doctor’s online consultation. The practitioner will have to keep that in mind before arranging visits online.

4. Technical Training

Every new technology requires training to adapt in order to offer effective healthcare services.  A specialist/practitioner needs to be trained on the new system in order to provide appropriate healthcare services.