With each passing day, week, month, and year it is becoming more evident that the world is becoming a global village. This feat has in no small measure been largely driven by technology. And this has greatly improved the quality of life all around. From telephones to television, gadgets, appliances, and importantly the internet. This development not only shaped the way things were done but also changed them.
These changes cut across all spheres of life; education, communication, transportation, and a host of other areas. Take, for instance, the time before the advent of telephones, it took people weeks if not more to communicate with others in different locations. However, now, it’s a totally different scenario. Alas! You can communicate in real-time, either through calls or instant messaging.
The health sector as well has not been left out of the range of technology’s touch as new innovations are being introduced to replace older methods of operations. There were times when it literally took nurses several minutes to locate patients’ files. But now, this can be accessed instantly using a computer that has the database. However, more interestingly and revolutionary is the advent of telemedicine. Telemedicine involves the use of the internet to offer health services to patients without physical appearance or contact. Effectively making consultations, checkups, scheduling, and follow-up possible now more than ever that the world is faced with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Telemedicine saves time, cost, and energy as it is done from the comfort of your home. You can have access to your doctor at any time of the day. Because when you look at it realistically the reason a good number of patients go to the hospital can be addressed from home. However, it is important to note at this point that there are only a couple of health issues that telemedicine can address. As regards the core health procedures such as surgery, ECG, CMT scan, and more cannot be done through telemedicine. So here are some of doctor’s appointments that can be held online.
Fitness Consultations
Statistics have clearly shown that fitness is one area where Americans are deficient and something needs to be done quickly to remediate it. Currently, one-third of American adults are obese. Hence the need for fitness to be taken seriously. This is where physiotherapists, public health experts, and in some cases orthopedics and chiropractors come in handy. Some individuals who are suffering from serious obesity that is affecting their locomotion would need the services of an orthopedic and chiropractor.
In a case where the person undergoes surgery to remove fat. The person’s post-surgery check-ups and monitoring can be done online. Also, people who need help staying through with a diet plan would need coaching from a dietician on useful tips to avoid sugary and processed foods and could also help serve as an accountability partner.
Dermatological Consultations
This is another aspect of medicine that telemedicine would also help in reducing the stress of physical appointments. Have you at any point had an issue with your skin? Say Eczema? How much did it affect your confidence? I guess a lot! That is how important a glowing skin is and how much of a confidence booster it can be. There are a couple of skin conditions that are easily treatable and even better via telemedicine.
Allergic reaction, eczema, skin rash, reaction, and more can be tackled via telemedicine with the help of a dermatologist. Once he gets a dip in your medical history and file, he can prescribe drugs, ointments that would do the trick. And even better he would be available to remotely monitor your progress.
Mental Health
Clearly, so much can be achieved without physical contact with your doctor and one such area in which telemedicine has also proven pivotal is in therapy. Clients can reach out to their doctors via the phones for their routine checkups, monitoring, evaluation, and their progress can as well be documented. However, more serious cases would definitely need the presence of a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
Ophthalmology
Interestingly, 1 in 16 people has one form of eye defect or the other, which no one really likes to admit. From short-sightedness to long, astigmatism, and more. For the eyes, as well as most other parts, early detection goes a long way in determining how well it can be resolved. Hence, the regular need for check-ups. Ophthalmologists can have consultations with their patients online, ask about improvements from correction methods employed. Telemedicine at this level basically covers store and record, remote monitoring, and consulting.
Cannabis Consultation
The medical cannabis industry is one that has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years and similar to all other sectors has also seen its operations affected by technology. With more research and scientific work ongoing, the importance of cannabis has been illuminated in the medical world. Cannabis has been discovered to treat epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, cancer, glaucoma, chronic pain, and many more pain-related illnesses. America has proven to be at the forefront as regards the use of cannabis for treatment and effectively controls one-third of the market.
There are licensed physicians across the U.S. who have been drafted into the Medical Marijuana scheme. A physician can be regarded as a cannabis coach as they effectively help patients with the right dosage, preferred strain most appropriate for their illness as well as the most appropriate form for usage. Either edible or as a tincture. However, physicians have a whole lot on their hands and there are professionals who have taken it upon themselves to become cannabis coaches. Either because cannabis helped them overcome their pain or other reasons. Cannabis coaching is a wellness and health method that adopts standard coaching procedures to help people become better versions of themselves.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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