The world we live in now bears no resemblance to the one we used to live in a few months ago. The COVID-19 crisis has impacted every aspect of our life over the past couple of months. Earlier, going to the hospital to consult our doctor used to be a part of our routine. Now, however, the very notion of being in the vicinity of a hospital, the place where there are several people infected with the deadly virus, scares each one of
At such a time, when people are scared of going to consult their doctors, and the doctors too are advising anyone with non-serious issues to avoid hospitals, it has become important to turn towards the long-ignored Telemedicine industry. For several years, Telemedicine has been fighting for its desired place in the healthcare system. What until now was a pipe dream, is well on its way to becoming a reality, thanks to the current crisis.
With many parts of the world under the lockdown, governments and health workers are advising people to avoid stepping out of their homes even for regular medical consultation. Governments are urging more and more doctors to turn to Telemedicine services to reduce the risk of transmissions in hospitals.
Emergency Telemedicine Services
Using telemedicine services for receiving remote medical care isn't that different from receiving care face to face. The procedure is almost the same except for the fact that you are in at the convenience of your own home.
It is recommended that you use the online service of the hospital you generally visit for easy transmission of records. Before you are allowed to consult the doctor, you will be asked the basic questions as in the chamber: the reason why you want to consult if you have any preexisting condition and so on. If your case is found to be urgent, you will be able to get in contact with a doctor almost immediately. If it's something that can wait a while, you will be given a time of about a few hours before you can consult a doctor.
Consultation of urgent cases almost acts like a virtual ER. it's best if you turn on your video so that the doctor examines you in the best way possible. If it's something that can be treated at home, the doctor will give you the full treatment plan, otherwise, you will be called to the hospital.
This emergency telemedicine service has helped doctors keep the hospitals less crowded, allowing only people with emergencies to visit. Lesser crowds have reduced some burden from the hospital staff.
Consultation Services
COVID-19 is a world crisis and even scientists are still trying to reckon its nature entirely. Most of us are aware of the symptoms but that’s about it. This requires us to get in contact with our doctor and check if we are at the risk of infection.
Routine check-ups have become a big part of telemedicine services along with emergency services. You can lock your appointment to consult the doctor about the ongoing virus crisis and discuss ways to prevent it from infecting you. Though these sessions are 15-min long at best, you'd benefit a lot from the personal care you receive from your doctor.
Due to an increased number of people opting for remote routine check-ups, there has been an increase in waiting times that can now last up to two days. However, you must still wait patiently for your turn as this is the best way to consult a doctor without running into the risk of transmission.
E-medicine
Doctors are prescribing medicines during the online consultations but people don't want to go outside even to purchase these essential medicines. This is where e-pharmacies like PharmEasy step in. People are turning towards e-pharmacies to get their medications delivered right to their doorsteps by ordering remotely from their homes. This has caused an exponential rise in the industry and has led experts to predict that the Indian e-pharmacy industry will be worth about $3.6billion till 2022.
Telemedicine and e-pharmacy services together are allowing everyone across the world to receive essential healthcare remotely. When the ongoing global crisis ends, remote healthcare will surely become a norm as patients and doctors get habituated to it.
