Telemedicine is the branch of medicine that allows patients to access quality healthcare services from the comfort of their homes. It entails the use of teleconferencing technology through high-definition video/voice calls. In other words, telemedicine makes it possible for patients to consult with a medical doctor over the phone or on a computer.

The weight of the pandemic on healthcare facilities

Healthcare facilities all over the country are being overwhelmed. In the same vein, healthcare workers are severely overworked because of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitals are filled to maximum capacity, doctors and other professionals are swamped with patients. 

In recent times, telemedicine has become more popular. Telemedicine offers a more affordable and less cumbersome channel through which patients can communicate their symptoms to healthcare workers. Patients now prefer to consult with medical practitioners remotely instead of paying a visit to the hospital. It is especially true for people who live in remote areas and people whose houses are far from hospitals. 

Telemedicine services, particularly the ones that are available at urgent care centers, are becoming widespread. Symptoms that previously required a visit to the hospital for the one-on-one examination can now be carried out over a video call. These include ear, nose, and throat illnesses, symptoms that show on the skin like rashes, skin infections, respiratory conditions like cough, colds, and cases of flu. 

The adoption of telemedicine in recent times

Telemedicine reduces the risk of patients spreading contagious illnesses like the COVID-19 virus with other patients because only patients who have severe symptoms will be required to visit the hospital. It helps to reduce the strain on healthcare facilities and the workload on healthcare professionals. 

Telemedicine also allows patients flexible access to medical experts. In other words, patients can consult with their doctors even after regular office hours, if they are in transit, and even when they live very far from the nearest hospital. It ensures that patients have access to quality healthcare services wherever and whenever.

In the same vein, telemedicine makes it possible for patients to see a doctor whenever their schedule is overbooked. Rather than join an already long queue of patients who want to meet with a doctor in-person, a patient can instead decide to consult the doctor remotely using telemedicine. 

The financial cost of transporting a patient to the hospital and the time it takes to do so are eliminated by telemedicine. In the same vein, telemedicine dramatically reduces the chances of exposure to contagious diseases and viruses like the SARS-Cov-2 virus.

Telemedicine is a medical innovation that has quickly become popular because of its many advantages for patients and healthcare personnel. It is easy to access telemedical care; all you have to do is book an appointment through an urgent care center.

AFC Urgent Care Shelton has virtual visits and telemedicine available for patients that need to coordinate urgent care as well as COVID-19 testing!