A new family of telemedicine platforms, referred to as Next Generation Telemedicine, is specifically designed for remote patient care. Most existing telemedicine platforms use your smart phone to provide an audio/video call. This was the result of the immense need and urgency at the time of the Covid pandemic. Unfortunately this was not a bespoke solution for remote patient care created by doctors. The next generation of telemedicine provides for the right set of attributes to allow, for example, remote patient care to be as effective and powerful as an in-person medical visit. Adding physical examination can significantly enhance the quality and scope of healthcare services provided remotely.
Here are eight ways it can change healthcare:
1. Improved Diagnostic Accuracy - Physical examinations allow healthcare providers to gather more comprehensive data about a patient's condition. This can lead to more accurate diagnoses compared to relying solely on verbal descriptions and visual assessments through a screen.
2. Enhanced Patient Trust and Satisfaction - Patients often feel more reassured when a healthcare provider can perform a physical examination. This can increase their trust in the diagnosis and treatment plan, leading to higher satisfaction with the telemedicine experience.
3. Broader Range of Services - With the integration of physical exams, telemedicine can expand to include more types of consultations, such as routine check-ups, post-operative follow-ups, and chronic disease management. This makes telemedicine a more versatile tool in healthcare delivery.
4. Use of Advanced Technology - Incorporating physical exams into telemedicine often involves the use of advanced technologies like digital stethoscopes, otoscopes, and high-resolution medical examination cameras. Live synchronous translation, medical documentation, prescription generating capabilities and multi-provider consultations are a few of the new attributes possible. EHR interoperability and compliance with FDA and HIPAA regulations are standard. These tools can transmit detailed physiological data to healthcare providers, enabling them to conduct thorough examinations remotely.
5. Accessibility and Convenience - For patients in remote or under served areas, the ability to receive a physical examination via telemedicine can be a game-changer. It reduces the need for travel and makes healthcare more accessible to those who might otherwise face barriers to receiving care.
6. Training and Education - Medical professionals can use telemedicine platforms with physical examination capabilities for training and educational purposes. This can help in teaching medical students and residents how to conduct remote examinations effectively.
7. Cost-Effectiveness - By reducing the need for in-person visits, telemedicine with physical examination capabilities can lower healthcare costs for both providers and patients. Think of the cost of transportation and the risk associated with it, all gone. This can lead to more efficient use of healthcare resources.
8. Emergency Situations - In emergency situations where immediate physical examination is crucial, telemedicine can provide a quick and effective way to assess a patient's condition and determine the necessary course of action.
Overall, the next generation telemedicine platforms can make healthcare more comprehensive, accessible, and efficient, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers. These platforms create many new opportunities to provide care while significantly reducing the cost for payers of health care while improving clinical outcomes.
