Telemedicine is increasingly being adopted by health organizations to meet the patient for convenient, accessible, and affordable services. Telemedicine continues to grow in popularity due to its high level of independence and convenience. These digital features have no geographical limitations so that the patient in the most remote locations can still receive a high level of care.
Introduction
Telehealth is a health care plan also called virtual care, which refers to medicinal or health advice treatment provided through video conferencing. It is also known as online consultation for healthcare treatment. It is available 24/7 and has no geographical limitations. These health-care programs are cost-efficient and time-saving. Due to the pandemic, people are refusing to meet or consult a doctor in person so the telehealth program becomes very useful. More people are using telehealth during the pandemic because telehealth provides consultation with a doctor by sitting at home.
Telehealth is making a very positive contribution to health care during the global pandemic and is also used in a variety of ways. It also has certain limitations for treating patients during covid-19. Hospitals are also trying to adapt to telehealth services during the pandemic.
Relevance of telemedicine during the pandemic covid-19
During this global pandemic, telehealth is emerging as an effective solution for precaution, prevention, and treatment to stem the spread of covid-19. Telemedicine has initially arisen to provide medical facilities in rural areas and where access to care is hard, mainly aimed at improving chronic disease management.
Advantages of telehealth during covid-19
Easy to access
It is easy to access for everybody, as it is conducted through online conferencing mode by using a mobile phone or pc. Telehealth is simple to use as a patient has to just download the application and choose the doctor of their need and the doctor will share a meeting id with the patient, after that you can consult your doctor for your better treatment. It will help in the pandemic as, if any emergency arrives one can easily log in and then consult the doctor.
Lower cost
Telehealth program is cost-effective. Meeting a doctor in person can be expensive, even for people with good health insurance plans. Online consultation with a doctor costs less than in-person visits do. It only charges for booking an appointment but an in-person visit costs more as it includes traveling charges and many more expenses. It is helpful in covid -19 because most people are dealing with scarcity of money so it helps in consulting with a doctor at lower costs.
Medical access to people without health insurance
People who are not having adequate health insurance can also avail telemedicine easily.
No geographical limitations
The telehealth program has no geographical limitations. So that anybody from rural or remote areas can easily access the online consultation services.
Doctors get to stay home too
Doctors will also get to stay home too during the pandemic. During covid-19 many doctors have closed or reduced their medical hours to stay safe. But due to telemedicine, patients easily consult with the doctor who is staying at home.
Reduced anxiety and mental pressure
Due to the pandemic, many people are dealing with mental pressure and anxiety. Telehealth provides a way to ask questions and access medical support without leaving home.
Limitations of telemedicine during covid-19
- For patients with higher risks, the clinical course may not be consistent with conventional telemedicine. They require hospitalization for better treatment.
- An issue that is mostly a reason for concern while using telemedicine is broadband access. Some hospitals struggle with running a quality connection within their facilities. In hospitals that provide telemedicine facilities need to improve wifi connections.
- Some tests such as mammograms, sonograms, and eye pressure or working is better in person, but in covid-19 this cannot possible by using the telehealth programs.
Conclusion
Telehealth programs improve the provision of health services. It provides safe, accessible, and convenient medical care. This is why telehealth should be an important tool in healthcare services. Keeping patients and health providers safe during this global pandemic. Telemedicine is useful in many ways during covid-19. It also has some limitations during the pandemic which include inadequate funds, lack of experience, lack of necessary infrastructure, etc. Still, the telehealth program has the potential to address many of the key challenges in providing health services during the outbreak of Covid-19. Telehealth technology is widely available, has low costs, and physicians and patients follow it for better healthcare treatment.
