Telemedicine was known to us for a long time ago. But the only difference is, the conventional telemedicine is not as technology-friendly as it is now. Before covid-19, the hospital visits and in-person checkups were more common. People prefer to see doctors face to face.
But the technology has enhanced the facilities in the healthcare system as well. That’s why now people prefer to opt for telemedicine.
What is telemedicine?
Telemedicine is the name of services provided by healthcare professionals from long distance. Patients and their attendants do not need to visit the hospitals for consulting the doctors. Rather they can talk with the doctor while sitting in their homes.
It is a generalized term that covers all the media through which you and your doctor can connect. Like through a phone call, video call, video chats, text messages, etc.
Why do we need telemedicine?
The need for technology arises with the social distancing during the COVID19 pandemic. People do not want to visit unnecessarily to hospitals. Telemedicine also saves the time and expenditure of traveling. Now waiting in clinics’ waiting areas is not needed.
How does telemedicine work?
Telemedicine works in many ways. Some doctors are connected through patient-doctor portals. These portals have a complete database of health professionals. And they provide a username and a password to the patient, with which the patient can connect to the doctors.
The patient can get emails and messages from the specialists, receive medical reports, book appointments, and discuss prescription refilling.
Another method is by directly getting an appointment with the doctor and get a consultation on the phone or video call. Usually, mental health professionals also provide this service.
The main thing that should be kept in mind is, telemedicine can not cover all the problems. Like you can not manage emergencies through telemedicine.
This facility is available for those who are patients of chronic diseases, bedridden patients, for discussing lab reports, prescription refills, and follow-ups.
For example, if you have stomach pain, you can book your appointment with a doctor and talk to him on a call. Now with the exact signs and symptoms, you can explain your condition to your doctor. This will help your doctor to understand your condition. And your doctor can guide you about medicine that can relieve your pain and further suggest you consult the gastroenterologist if the problem persists.
Telemedicine does not stop you from visiting a doctor’s clinic or it doesn’t mean there is no need to visit a hospital. Rather it is a service that facilitates you in some cases. And saves your time in most cases.
During COVID-19, when the load on the hospitals was (and in some countries still very) enormous, people prefer to go for telemedicine services as it saves your time as well as decreases workload on the health sector.
Social distancing is another reason, according to the W.H.O guidelines you should not expose yourself to hospitals and viruses. That’s why people who have minor problems or elderly patients with chronic diseases, who can consult their doctors through online portals prefer this service.
Hospitals and doctors make their portals and e-clinics where patients can register themselves and book their appointments with the doctors. Marham is a digital healthcare platform, where you can find, book, and consult the best health specialists of Pakistan.
You can find the complete details about the doctors according to their specialties and what diseases they deal with. Their official website provides you an online consultation facility as well as a book your appointment option. You can call on their helpline or visit the website. Similarly, the mobile app is also developed to ease your appointment booking.
Hence the doctors are only a click away now. You only need to get benefits from the technology. Because it is high time, where everyone is moving towards a smart approach, then why do the healthcare sectors lag?