Telemedicine: The Many Ways in Which it has Revolutionized Healthcare

The healthcare sector has been subjected to considerable change over the past few decades. And yet, none of these changes has had as profound an effect as digitalization. And by that, we aren’t referring to merely the digitalization of documents and patient records. No, sir; you see, this age of digital existence has had far-reaching consequences for the sector, giving it potent tools and resources such as telemedicine. Telemedicine has piqued the world’s interest, unlike anything else and understandably so. After all, this resource brings to the table the potential to help the sector deal with some of its most pressing challenges, such as the shortage of qualified doctors. Research shows that the US alone will suffer from a challenge of over 1.21 lakh doctors by 2030.

There are plenty of other similarly urgent issues that plague the industry, and a sizable portion of these issues can be quickly addressed with telemedicine. How? Well, the answer is found in the underlying premise: Telemedicine helps patients and healthcare providers connect without even needing to travel to the clinic, healthcare facility, etc. Another study in the US found that about 76 percent of hospitals connect with their patients via Telehealth tools. And as it continues to evolve along with technology in general, telemedicine is also having a sweeping impact on the healthcare industry. Let’s discuss some of them to help give you a better perspective.

1. Better patient monitoring: Ask any doctor and they would tell you just how valuable early warning signs can be. Unfortunately, they may mean nothing unless they result in appropriate action too. Telemedicine has made that possible, allowing doctors to monitor patients remotely and ensure prompt action. It is with an immediate consultation, adapted treatment plan, etc. can be enforced. This, in turn, provides substantially improved levels of care for patients, even when they are not in the hospital.
2. Round-the-clock consultations: Health is a tricky endeavor — more so with specific conditions and ailments. So, it is understandable that patients may develop symptoms or problems at any time. But what if it happens in the middle of the night? With telemedicine, they do not have to wait till the morning or for any other factor impeding their ability to visit their doctor. Instead, they can immediately seek assistance and consultation doctors without needing to exit their house; unless the situation necessitates it, of course.
3. Savings: No matter how much we may ignore it, the truth remains that even traveling to see a doctor is typically an expensive undertaking. Telemedicine can quickly help patients save money on travel expenses, allowing them to ‘visit’ their doctor online.

It is clear that telemedicine is not a passing fad and will continue to have a far-reaching impact on healthcare providers and their patients. And any company that wishes to leverage this nifty tool to deliver substantially better care and achieve improved operations too, would do well to kick off a telemedicine software development project for their organization.