Ayurvedic Pediatrician | 4 min read
What are the Things to be Cautious with Telemedicine?
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- Table of Content
Key Takeaways
- Telemedicine is the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by the means of telecommunications technology
- While telemedicine has been around for a while, it wasn’t ever the need of hour as it has become today
- Despite the many benefits on offer, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to availing telemedicine facilities
Telemedicine is the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by the means of telecommunications technology. It is a tool that makes healthcare more accessible and cost-effective, while increasing patient engagement. The primary goal here is to facilitate remote care to areas with a lack of healthcare infrastructure, but this has now changed. Today, due to the pandemic, telemedicine services are in demand across geographies and for good reason too. When used efficiently, professional can address minor and urgent conditions for patients near or away from them effectively.
Telemedicine has become the need of the hour in this pandemic. As the need for quality care continues to grow, telemedicine promises to empower patients with more information and control over their healthcare decisions than ever before. Being economically and technically feasible, it is gaining popularity, which is why you should be aware of possible shortcomings. To that end, here are all the factors to be cautious about with telemedicine.
Credentials of the specialist
Telemedicine is a convenient option for those who cannot go to the doctor due to chronic medical conditions or fear of catching infectious and contagious disease like COVID-19. However, accessibility shouldn’t come at the cost of quality. It is important to check the credentials of the doctor providing care and patients that aren’t tech-savvy may find this difficult. Moreover, without conducting proper research, patients may even avail services from someone underqualified to handle their need, which can be problematic.
Additional Read: Your ultimate guide for Covid-19Reduced in-person visits
Ideally, patients should provide detailed medical information and should show any visible symptoms that require treatment. However, this is easier said than done, especially since virtual consults are still relatively new to both parties involved. The lack of in-person visits can be a disadvantage in some scenarios. This is when the professional judgment of Registered Medical Practitioners must be exercised to decide the best route for treatment.
Decreased efficacy in emergencies
In cases of emergency, patients should resort to an in-person visit for optimal care. While telemedicine does offer the option of personalised remote care, it isn’t as effective as in-person care and so, it may not be the best solution in emergencies. As such, you should be cautious about relying on it for care in cases of chronic illnesses where emergencies are common.
Lack of clarity in health insurance policies
While there is a very clear need for telemedicine services today, many policymakers are yet to recognise it as a formal procedure viable for coverage. There is a lot of uncertainty in this regard and other factors like healthcare law, privacy protection, and reimbursement terms. While telemedicine isn’t a 1:1 alternate to an in-person visit, it is the safest route available to you today and you may not receive the coverage you would otherwise. This is another factor to be cautious about when it comes to availing telemedicine services.
Steeper learning curve can lead to inadequate care
While telemedicine has been around for a while, it wasn’t ever the need of hour as it has become today. Medical practitioners are now forced to get acquainted with it, all while dealing with the burden of the pandemic. Further, it is quite expensive for healthcare centres to adopt as it means having the right IT infrastructure and training protocols in place. Also, this isn’t a mode of treatment all doctors and trained medical staff are familiar with. Without proper training or familiarity, there is a chance that patients may receive inadequate care.
Despite the many benefits on offer, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to availing telemedicine facilities. However, don’t let this discourage you from opting for telemedicine services, especially during these trying times, where going to clinics and specialists is very risky. As long as you know and address the unique risks that come with consulting online, it won’t be long before this is a preferred way of consulting doctors.
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- Disclaimer
Please note that this article is solely meant for informational purposes and Bajaj Finserv Health Limited (“BFHL”) does not shoulder any responsibility of the views/advice/information expressed/given by the writer/reviewer/originator. This article should not be considered as a substitute for any medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with your trusted physician/qualified healthcare professional to evaluate your medical condition. The above article has been reviewed by a qualified doctor and BFHL is not responsible for any damages for any information or services provided by any third party.
