WHY TELEMEDICINE?

Written by: Dr. Robert L. Bard

The communication features of TeleMed can also be used to
train other doctors in remote locations on new equipment
or modalities in patient care-

One of the current updates in patient care is the advancement of TELEMEDICINE. Thanks to the expansion of our web-based means of communication, doctors and patients are now able to convert the standard office visit to a virtual consultation or a remote, face-to-digital face exchange. Patients enjoy the benefits of the complete elimination of costly travel time and the potential viral exposure of sitting in a busy waiting room.

By definition, TeleMedicine is the implementing of any health-related services and information through the use of electronic and telecommunication technologies. It allows for REMOTE patient and clinician contact, care, advice, reminders, education, intervention, monitoring, and remote admissions.

Conceptually, TeleMed technologies are used as an alternative means of communication, resulting in a more efficient use of the doctors' and patients' time.  By communicating on a video-conferencing platform, TeleMedicine allows the physician to easily share files, records and imaging on the same screen that the doctor and patient are conducting a private consultation. TeleMed has been recognized to expand the practitioner's ability to reach more patients geographically and in less time- thus growing the medical practice this way.

To date, many new advancements have been added to this growing concept of remote patient care - including REAL-TIME INTERACTIVE SERVICES or "mHEALTH", REMOTE MONITORING (RPM), VIRTUAL CONSULTS (a form of live video conferencing) and STORE-AND-FORWARD (also known as 'asychronous video').Whether it's to reduce medical costs, save time or stay safe from potential (or advancing) health risks, methods of patient care continues to evolve toward better performance and efficiency for the convenience of the patient as well as improved use of time for the provider. This includes the smart use of internet technology and online private portals to offer a virtual alternative to the doctor's office visit.


PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS & ALL IMMUNO-COMPROMISED ARE AT HIGH RISK
Chronic conditions like lung and heart disease, lupus, and diabetes directly affect the immune system. Also patients diagnosed with auto-immune disorders and cancers (including those currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments) can leave a person immuno-compromised. This makes them a very high risk of contracting deadly viruses like the Coronavirus. Anyone with weakened immune systems are highly advised to stay indoors and prevent any contact with the public. To battle this pandemic the right way, we all need a strong IMMUNE SYSTEM to recover from contamination. Also, ask any of your doctors if they subscribe to TeleMedicine as an alternative to any upcoming office visits.

THE FUTURE OF HOUSE CALLS: A SMART UPGRADE TO DOCTORS VISITS
Within the past several decades, the medical community has been put into overdrive to come up with new solutions (or modify existing ones) to implement safer, more efficient and cost-effective ways of working with the public. From the global demand for active medical personnel, to the rising wave of safety concerns that of the many at-risk patients, we face a great need to upgrade patient care.

Elderly patients or those with chronic conditions may find it difficult (and even precarious) to travel to their doctors' office and sit in a waiting room with other sick people with unknown conditions. Advancing this scenario to an electronic doctor's visit or TELEMEDICINE is an available reality that can easily address this concern. SO MUCH CAN BE DONE FROM HOME!

TELEMED BENEFITS FOR THE PATIENT
• Convenient & cost effective
• No Transportation needed
• No need for time off work or child care
• Eliminate the waiting room
• Quicker access to all specialists
• Improved access to files and prescriptions


Additional Articles (also see):
• Coronavirus Prompts Spike in TeleMedicine Use- By: Dr. Stephen Chagares
• Surviving a Pandemic with Perspective - By: Lennard Gettz
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CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ROBERT L. BARD, MD, PC, DABR, FASLMS - Advanced Imaging & Diagnostic Specialist
Having paved the way for the study of various cancers both clinically and academically, Dr. Robert Bard co-founded the 9/11 CancerScan program to bring additional diagnostic support to all first responders from Ground Zero. His main practice in midtown, NYC (Bard Diagnostic Imaging- www.CancerScan.com) uses the latest in digital Imaging technology has been also used to help guide biopsies and in many cases, even replicate much of the same reports of a clinical invasive biopsy. Imaging solutions such as high-powered Sonograms, Spectral Doppler, sonofluoroscopy, 3D/4D Image Reconstruction and the Spectral Doppler are safe, noninvasive, and does not use ionizing radiation. It is used as a complement to find anomalies and help diagnose the causes of pain, swelling and infection in the body’s internal organs while allowing the diagnostician the ability to zoom and ‘travel’ deep into the body for maximum exploration.


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