Is telehealth an equal and effective alternative to in person consultations?
By Anish Asokan
@RevivedWarrior (1668)
India
October 13, 2024 11:22am CST
During the Pandemic and post the same, telehealth has emerged as an alternative to in person consultations in many countries. Many patients appreciate the convenience of accessing healthcare from the comfort of homes similar to home delivery of food and other products.
However, is telehealth an equal and effective alternative to in person consultations? Definitely telehealth is of great service for mental health services. Perhaps simple issues can be diagnosed using telehealth (the ones which does not need any or negligible physical examination). However, for complex issues or issues which need physical examination, telehealth may not help. Also there are regions, where technology is less accessible and as a result telehealth services may not be reachable. Apart from this , competency of the doctors available in telehealth and kind of services also add complexity.
Personally, I have used telehealth services only for simple health issues.May be with advancement of technology , things can change. For now, I do not think it is effective alternative ti in person consultations. Whats your take?
9 people like this
8 responses
@anya12adwi (7581)
• India
13 Oct
I am totally with you!! Teleheath can be used for emergencies that can be taken by them! Like I had bad toothache and it worsened at night when all dentists must be at home, so I called a friend whose cousin was one. She said me a painkiller which helped me the night and next day I rushed to the dentist! Telehealth can be useful for simpler stuffs and some urgent matters!
2 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (1668)
• India
14 Oct
Thats a good real -life example to highlight the effectiveness of telehealth. We should promote the same for simple and urgent medical needs. Thanks for sharing!
@snowy22315 (178806)
• United States
13 Oct
I think it is, and for routine consultations like med refills it is great. If you suspect something serious going on though, I wouldn't use them.
2 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (1668)
• India
14 Oct
Yes, we can use telehealth for uncomplicated or urgent medical needs .Thanks for sharing!
@allknowing (134115)
• India
14 Oct
I do it all the time and it works for me. I must make no mistake in describing my symptoms.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (1668)
• India
14 Oct
So you are making good use of available technology! Thanks for sharing!
@kaylachan (67399)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Oct
I don't think telehealth is supposed to be an alternitive to in-person medical visits. Rather it's an extension and sign of progression in medicine. Before we heard of telehealth, doctors were using robots in hospitals along with doctors to dianose and treat patiens, as well as perform complex procedures. Addationally, things like lab work work can be requested prior to a telehealth visit. And that's where doctors get 99 percent of your diagnosis from. Addationally patients giving a history and discription of symptoms can also be done over the phone or via webcam.
Telehealth makes medical care more accessable for people who require medical care and is commonly used for regular check ups and it's understood that it's not meant to be for something acute or a sudden onset problem requiring a physical diagnosis. That's what urgent care, hospital ers, and so forth are designed for.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (1668)
• India
14 Oct
Never thought in that way. I definitely see the possibility of having it as an extension as you have mentioned. Thanks for sharing!
@kaylachan (67399)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Oct
@RevivedWarrior I don't think most people would, because history has shown that technological advancment alters how we do things, but replaces outdated technology. Most people don't really know how medicine works in the first place.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89231)
• Arvada, Colorado
15 Oct
Well one time I remember it helped me better than the in person consult..I was able to get a much needed vital medicine. But all in all, doctors in person should. be more caring and helping.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (1668)
• India
16 Oct
Telehealth can be very useful in urgent and progress checks. I agree doctors no matter the medium should be caringa nd helpig. Thanks for sharing!
@Deepizzaguy (101298)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
14 Oct
I prefer seeing my personal doctor face to face since they can give me medicines from the pharmacy the same day than having to speak to a physician via video.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (101298)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
15 Oct
@RevivedWarrior You are welcome.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (1668)
• India
14 Oct
Well, that is certainly an inconvenience with telehealth ,especially with ordering the medicines. Thanks for sharing!
@pitstop (13537)
• Australia
13 Oct
It's certainly helpful for uncomplicated issues and where a quick recommendation or script is needed. It's also great to review test results and progress of some diseases like diabetes.
But for the more complicated things a face to face check is essential.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (1668)
• India
14 Oct
For simple and uncomplicated advices or progress checking , telehealth is certainly useful. Thanks for sharing!
@luisadannointed (5351)
• Philippines
13 Oct
I think I agree with you, it is not good for those illness that really need a face to face check up, but for consultation it is less hassle and a very good one. During post pandemic we use to schedule our parents for a teleconsult and it is very effective in terms of immediate diagnose and prescribing medicine, and a very convenient way of not having to travel.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (1668)
• India
14 Oct
During pandemic, we had less choice than to resort to telehealth. And fully agree, we can use the telehealth for simple and uncomplicated medical advices and checks. Thanks for sharing!
