Telehealth programs are used extensively in treating chronic respiratory problems, most often in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Telehealth programs use several devices to measure heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry, and blood pressure between others.
Introduction
An estimate states that 328 million people have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worldwide. According to a study, there is a reduction in in-person visits as the telehealth program shows benefits in the global initiative for treating chronic respiratory problems. In past years, a growing interest in telemedicine and its application in respiratory medicine has been monitored. Telemedicine help patients in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as asthma, lung transplantation. Results are quite promising and reliable. Telehealth programs provide online consultation in smoking cessation programs and follow-up in the treatment of tuberculosis, polysomnography, etc. Hence, telehealth services offer several domains to respiratory care including telemonitoring, teleassistance, telerehabilitation, and teleconsultation.
How chronic respiratory problem occurs?
Respiratory problems are common symptoms of lung diseases and heart disease or injury. In addition to tobacco, smoking, and other risk factors such as air pollution, frequent lower respiratory problems, occupational chemicals, and specks of dust infection can cause repository problems in a person. Other common causes of respiratory problems include disorders such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Another name for a chronic respiratory problem is hypoxemic respiratory problem.
Telehealth during the pandemic in treating chronic respiratory problems
Telehealth is the e-diagnosis and management of patients by telecommunication technology which serves acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the pandemic. The treatment was gradually adopted but faced challenges regarding its availability of acceptance of the technology by patients and healthcare professionals. The value of telemedicine in the management of patients with chronic respiratory failure is currently in use and is exploring opportunities for the future.
Using telehealth for treating COPD
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an effective therapeutic strategy to improve health and shows positive outcomes in patients with chronic respiratory problems or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Around 147 COPD patients participated in a program delivered via Telehealth pulmonary rehabilitation. Telehealth pulmonary rehabilitation is an effective tool for increasing COPD PR services and it improves in quality of life and exercise capacity. Telehealth makes it possible for more people to receive pulmonary rehabilitation after discharge from the hospital. Rehabilitation includes stretching, exercise, and breathing to help build lung function. It helps in reducing shortness of breath and improve quality of life. Instead of going for an in-person visit to a rehab center, it provides benefits from pulmonary rehabilitation through online consultation with your rehab specialist or professional via using telehealth services.
Chronic respiratory problems
Telehealth plans for chronic respiratory problems
Telehealth for chronic respiratory problems is helping people follow their treatment plans. The availability and use of telehealth have increased over the past few years not just for COPD but others as well. Many healthcare plans now cover it to some extent. In the United States, the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affects an estimated 15 million people. The coverage plans will help in reducing the cost of your treatment. They cover telehealth services for chronic respiratory disease in the majority of states, but the plans vary from state to state. It is necessary for the patient to visit in person with the doctor before choosing the online chronic respiratory treatment care. Telemedicine laws no longer limit only in-person examination and prescription requirements.
Conclusion
The development of telemedicine has been partly driven by technological advances. Hence, the American commission for more than a decade highlights its potential role. Telehealth is for treating chronic respiratory problems by many clients. Telemedicine help patients in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as asthma, lung transplantation, etc. Telehealth is beneficial for chronic respiratory treatment because it provides at-home rehabilitation. So, after discharge from the hospital patient can easily consult online for their pulmonary rehabilitation. At-home pulmonary rehabilitation includes exercise and using a spirometer for ease of breathing. In COPD online consultation smoking cessation is one the most important step to positively influence the disease course.
