What Kinds Of Treatments Are Better Not Done Over Telemedicine?

 

Telemedicine has now come as a primary solution for many doctors and patients in this day and age.  You can get care from a certified and licensed doctor or other healthcare providers without going to the hospital. Patients can book online consultations with their doctors easily. There are so many health conditions treated with telemedicine like mental health, respiratory illnesses, ongoing health conditions like diabetes, BP, etc. and dermatology. Even with having so many smartphone apps and healthcare devices, there are still many health conditions that you cannot handle with telemedicine.

 First of all, we will discuss the health conditions that can be treated with telemedicine and to what extent. Later on, we will discuss when to seek emergency care.

 Acute Conditions

Telemedicine is very convenient and easy in seasons when allergies and pollen counts are at an all-time high, i.e. cold and flu. Patients can arrange their video conference or call at their home rather than visiting a doctor’s office. They can discuss their health issues and respond to their doctors. In return, doctors write prescriptions and provide medical advice if the diagnosis is possible. Here are the standard conditions they can treat over telemedicine –

●       Bronchitis

●       Allergies

●       Conjunctivitis

●       Cold and Flu

●       Poison ivy

●       Ear infections

 When needed, Online doctors may also refer patients for further diagnosis in a lab if they suspect urinary tract infection or strep throat. It is also common for follow-up treatment, such as monitoring a patient's progress with a new prescription after surgery.

 Chronic Conditions

Telemedicine is helpful to monitor chronic conditions. It can improve self-care for patients as they get more active and involved in their health. Remote tracking and patient’s cooperation can play a vital role in improving the success rate of telemedicine.

 Here are some of the conditions to treat with telehealth  –

●       Stroke – This condition is very time-sensitive. A lot of hospitals use telehealth to work with experts. It ensures more accurate and faster diagnosis. It enables remote monitoring and deployment of tissue plasminogen activators.

●       Congestive heart failure – Traditional management leads to high mortality and hospitalization rates, and it doesn’t do much to promote an active patient’s role. Patient’s empowerment is very helpful for recovery. This way, home monitoring equipment can collect essential patient data and directly provide this information to the healthcare provider. Some telemedicine programs provide details like heart rate, blood pressure, weight, oxygen levels, etc. and even ECG data. Machines can collect information in real-time and inform the concerned specialists.

●       COPD – Regular monitoring can also treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A patient can schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist at the official telehealth portal. Online education programs can be helpful for the patient to manage and monitor their conditions.

●       Other usual conditions that can be monitored via telemedicine are -

o   Arthritis – In that case, the doctor can help on inflammation, pain management, medications, and referrals to a specialist.

o   Asthma – Emergency treatment is also needed in case of severe asthma. This way, a doctor can determine whether they can treat a patient at home or when they need an ER visit.

o   Chronic skin issues – Ongoing care can treat skin conditions like psoriasis and acne. Skin conditions can be controlled with initial treatments. Primary care doctors may help patients to see a dermatologist or manage flare-ups. They can view problem areas with video chat and send photos to the labs directly.

 At-home telemedicine

Here are the practical solutions for patients to make the most of telemedicine -

●        BP Monitors – These home care devices are ubiquitous. Today, they are more compact, intelligent and cost effective.

●        Blood Glucose monitors – It is best suited for diabetes patients and patients with pre-diabetes. This device can monitor glucose levels and send alerts to the doctor when readings go out of control.

●        Heart rate monitors – They are accommodating to reduce hospitalization rates for patients at risk with early detection. It sends notifications to the doctors only when readings are not expected.

●        Sleep apnea devices – They have both investigatory and direct treatment features. They provide data on patients’ body position, breathing, and sleep patterns.

 Treatments cannot be done over Telehealth

Telemedicine is definitely not for deadly situations and emergencies when a patient experiences potentially dangerous signs and symptoms. Emergency services are required when you or someone you know experience these conditions –

●        Problem in breathing

●        Severe allergic reaction “Anaphylaxis”

●        Signs of stroke, including facial drooping or one-sided weakness

●        Symptoms and signs of heart attacks, such as shortness of breath and crushing chest pain

●        Unexplained bleeding

●        Traumatic injuries because of accident or fall

●        Head injury

 Bottom Line

Telemedicine can work in underlying health conditions and minor cases. But some treatments can be done only with hospitalization and in-person care.