Everything is becoming more accessible and convenient in the era of technology, including healthcare. Telemedicine consultation, commonly referred to as telehealth, is the use of online video conferencing to establish a distant connection between patients and medical professionals. Recent years have seen a rise in popularity for this method of providing healthcare, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why Should You Use Telemedicine?

• Convenience: Patients no longer need to travel to a physical healthcare center in order to get medical care thanks to telemedicine, which allows them to do so from the convenience of their own homes.

• Access: Patients who might not have access to a physical healthcare institution because of their location, mobility concerns, or other considerations can still get medical care through telemedicine.

• Efficiency: By lowering appointment wait times and enabling healthcare practitioners to see more patients in less time, telemedicine may save time and resources for both patients and healthcare providers.

• Cost-effectiveness: By removing the need for patients to travel to a medical institution, as well as by lowering the need for in-person visits and hospital stays, telemedicine can lower healthcare expenditures.

• Quality of care: By offering remote monitoring and check-ins, telemedicine may enhance the quality of care for patients with chronic diseases. This can help identify potential issues before they become serious and allow for appropriate treatment programme revisions.

Telemedicine Consultation Requirements :- For a telemedicine consultation to be successful, several requirements must be met. Some of the most crucial items are listed below:- 

1.  Reliable internet connection: Since video conferencing and other online tools need a stable and quick connection, a reliable internet connection is essential for telemedicine consultations.

2.  Software for video conferences: Software for video conferences is frequently used for telemedicine consultations since it enables real-time visual and spoken communication between patients and medical professionals.

3.  Digital devices: Patients will require a digital device with a camera and microphone, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

4.  Patient medical history: In order to offer proper treatment during a telemedicine consultation, healthcare practitioners may need access to a patient's medical history, including prior diagnoses, prescription drugs, and medical procedures.

5.  Secure messaging system: Patients may be reached via a secure messaging system to get follow-up treatment, ask questions, or interact with you before or after a telemedicine session.

6.  Tools for remote patient monitoring: Healthcare practitioners may utilize instruments for remote patient monitoring, such as wearables or sensors, to track a patient's health in real time from a distance.

7.  Technical assistance: If any problems with the internet connection or video conferencing software come up during the telemedicine session, technical assistance can be required to resolve them.

Benefits of Telemedicine :- 

• Increased accessibility to healthcare for patients with mobility challenges, those living in rural or isolated places, or both.
• More flexible and convenient healthcare alternatives for patients, who can get treatment from the comfort of their own homes or places of employment.
• Decreased patient travel fees and healthcare costs.
• Improved patient outcomes, especially for patients with chronic diseases because check-ins and remote monitoring can identify possible problems early on.
• Greater effectiveness for healthcare professionals who can see more patients in a shorter amount of time.
• More patients having access to medical professionals, especially those who live in places where specific specialists could be hard to find.
• Decreased chance of contracting infectious illnesses, especially during pandemic or epidemic periods.
• Increased patient involvement and contentment with the medical experience.
• Possibility of lowering healthcare inequities and enhancing underprivileged groups' access to care.
• Better work-life balance for the providers thanks to telemedicine's potential for more flexible scheduling and shorter commutes.

Conclusion

In addition to emergency house calls, telemedicine consultations have the unique potential to deliver extremely convenient care that is swift, effective, and economical. As the telemedicine consultation sector evolves and expands, the healthcare industry has a tonne of promise, especially given its ability to connect with, engage, and improve the health of people who may not otherwise have access to therapy. Patients no longer need to travel or wait for appointments in order to receive care when emergency house calls are added, making healthcare more available and practical for everyone.