telehealth has enabled treatment without the need to move the patient

telehealth has enabled treatment without the need to move the patient

Many vulnerable people do not have adequate access to health care services, and those that do may be susceptible to more infections in the process of seeking medical intervention. The invention and incorporation of telehealth have enhanced the access of health care services primarily for the vulnerable groups in that they can access the medical intervention in their places of comfort; thus, his risk of infecting others or being infected is minimized. Irrespective of the location, economic or social status of patients, telehealth has enabled patient’s access health care services; hence it is beneficial especially to the vulnerable groups who don’t need to move from home to hospital seeking medical attention. Also, telehealth has enabled medical practitioners to meet the population’s needs in that it has bridged the gap of inadequate transport, immobility of patients, inadequate funding, and inadequate healthcare professionals. For instance, in instances where transporting a patient from home to the hospital was a challenge, telehealth has enabled treatment without the need to move the patient.

Telehealth has improved patient care in that it is convenient and more accessible, even in remote areas. It is also a cost-effective method of accessing health services because the costs of transport and other costs incurred while at the hospital are reduced by telehealth. There is also increased engagement of the patient in the delivery. Unlike in hospitals where there are schedules to see the doctors, telehealth enhances the patient-doctor relationship; hence telehealth provides better quality healthcare as there is a significant decrease in health disparities due to equality established by telehealth.

However, telehealth has a few potential issues, such as inadequately trained personnel and decreased care continuity, and these may affect the care provided to patients. Social media has both positive and negative impacts on the healthcare system. While it provides a platform for patients and health professionals, there is much-misguided information acquired from the same platform.

REFERENCES

Tuckson, R. V., Edmunds, M., & Hodgkins, M. L. (2017). Telehealth. New England Journal of Medicine, 377(16), 1585-1592.

Dorsey, E. R., & Topol, E. J. (2016). State of telehealth. New England Journal of Medicine, 375(2), 154-161.