Telemedicine From Doctor’s Point of View

Telemedicine allows for patients and health providers to “meet” over the phone or through a video. It utilizes technology like computers, cellphones, or web cameras. Health visits can be conducted in the comfort of your own home and you can even have a virtual visit with a specialist who is miles away from your town. This helps to close the gap that some populations may be facing. Telemedicine can also ease the burden of having to take time off of work or arrange for childcare. As technology improves over time, telemedicine can become easier to use, even for those who aren’t computer savvy.

Due to social distancing rules and preventing the spread of infection, telemedicine services increased in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Harvard Business Review, the number of Americans using telemedicine nearly doubled and studies show consistent patient satisfaction with telemed services. They also show a patient willingness to do more virtual tasks, like digital monitoring or home lab testing.

If the consumers are generally pleased with the service, how are the physicians feeling about it?

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Telemedicine and Doctors

Hosting a virtual visit may seem simple on the surface, but there are different demands and skills involved when compared to in-person visits. Providers must learn how to use a digital system in order to communicate with users on the other end. Providers must also alter their communication, listening, and observation skills. The HBR quotes one doctor saying, “I am learning to listen for when it is my turn to speak, to diagnose rashes on a phone screen, to identify emotions from words and tone as much as from facial expressions.”

Telemedicine offers some unique advantages for providers. The physical distance can protect them from contagious illnesses. They are less likely to spread germs around the office, to their families, and to other patients. This can help keep workers at work and prevent staff shortages.

Meeting over the phone allows for relatives or caretakers to assist (with permission) without having to travel. If a patient typically needs a helper during appointments, they can both be present on the call even if they are in different places. This can help the provider get all of the appropriate answers and accurate information in real time. Family members can be kept in the loop about test results or upcoming appointments. This can help providers carry out their plans with more success.

How does telemedicine help physicians? John Hopkins highlights that telemedicine can lead to better assessments for physicians. Seeing a video of a patient in their natural home environment can be an advantage. Allergists can identify sources of allergies in the house. Physical and occupational therapists can see safety hazards in the room. Orthopedic doctors can observe someone’s ability to navigate their space. Mental health specialists may get a better glimpse of an individual’s lifestyle and function.

Teleaudiology Services

Talented hearing care professionals working alongside hear.com are also successfully using telemedicine. Teleaudiology is the virtual management of audiology-related services. Our teleaudiology service can use the same equipment that traditional in-person clinics use and basically every service provided by an in-person clinic can also be performed remotely via teleaudiology. If a hearing aid isn’t working properly, patients do not have to wait a month to make an appointment- they can address it much sooner, virtually.

hear.com offers comprehensive hearing aid care. We work with the top 2% of hearing professionals in the nation. Our company uses a patented teleaudiology program to help patients across the country within their own house. Hearing tests are performed by an audiologist or a hearing instrument specialist. If they see any sign that you might need a referral for a medical evaluation, they will send you to an ENT doctor. Even after the trial period, hear.com includes 5 additional follow-up visits for fine-tuning or annual check-ups.

We are happy to connect with you and show you what teleaudiology can do!

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