Telemedicine Grows as Medical Option
By Chauncey Crandall, M.D.
Telemedicine, also called telehealth, is the practice of administering medical services remotely, such as diagnosis and monitoring.
Although telemedicine seems to be a modern innovation, it actually goes back to ancient Rome, when elderly and infirm people couldn’t visit temples for medical consultations in person, so they sent representatives instead. And in Africa, villagers used smoke signals to warn of disease outbreaks.
In the 2000s, telemedicine got its biggest boost with the advent of the internet, which increased the capability of wireless communications that could handle large amounts of medical data.
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When the pandemic hit, telemedicine was one of the few ways the medical community was well-prepared. And, while intended to be a temporary move, it continues to become more permanent as both doctors and patients grow accustomed to the convenience.
Real-time audio and video communication tools connect physicians and patients in different locations by telephone or by video. Verbal/audio-only and virtual check-ins via patient portals can be accessed via the internet, text, and other messaging technologies.
Minor telemedicine visits such as check-ins to see if a patient is taking his or her medication can be conducted via telephone, but most providers prefer to use video for the kind of checkup that would ordinarily be an office visit.
Remote patient-monitoring tools such as blood pressure monitors, Bluetooth-enabled digital scales, and other wearable devices can communicate data from patients to their doctors for review.
If scheduling a telemedicine visit, remember to make sure your computer is working properly, prepare your questions ahead of time, make sure the TV is off and there are no other noises or distractions, and have a list of your medications nearby.