Think back to the last time you had
a doctors appointment. How did it affect your day? You most likely had to free
up a substantial amount of time in order to drive through lunchtime traffic,
wait half an hour in the waiting room, wait another 20 minutes in the
examination room, see the doctor, and drive back to work all to be told, “you
have a cold.” Like you, I find this process very frustrating not to mention
inefficient. Fortunately, healthcare companies have acknowledged this
inconvenience leading to a revolutionary new way to visit your physician. With
the introduction of e-visits and video visits, you no longer have to sacrifice
your time to check on your health.
Recently, I am sure many of you
have seen the Novant Health commercial advertising e-visits and video visits as
a new way to see your doctor from anywhere. While this technology is new to the
healthcare sector, it has led me to question why they are so behind the general
technology advancement curve. Face-to-face video communications have been
popular since 2003 when Skype first surfaced and businesses across the globe
have utilized relatively low cost, high capacity video conferencing since the
late 90’s. Why the push to innovate now?
With the increasing competition
between healthcare companies, it is no wonder why many are turning to
telehealth as a way to differentiate themselves from others. Telehealth not
only makes doctors visits more practical for those who are too busy to see the
doctor, but it allows companies such as Novant Health to reach the rural
patient who may not have a means of getting to a doctor within a reasonable
distance. With the use of e-visits and video visits, all it takes is an internet
connection and you are instantly in the same room as your doctor.
Although this innovation is
convenient and practical, do you think it will eventually replace the more
personal face-to-face visits that we are accustomed to? Could you see yourself
using this technology?
Sources:
- · http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/consumer-health/in-depth/telehealth/art-20044878
- · http://www.novanthealth.org/home/patients--visitors/mychart/e-visits-and-video-visits.aspx
- · https://www.healthpartners.com/public/coverage-criteria/telehealth
I could definitely see myself using this technology, especially for minor questions. I think that e-visits will take a while to catch on because older segments of the population might not be open to it. It could be a beneficial alternative to people having to drive far away for a simple question.
ReplyDeleteI think that this will come close to replacing the face-to-face visits that we are used to as more and more people get used to talking through videos with their doctors.
ReplyDeleteI do not think it will replace face to face visits for pregnant women, people with serious health conditions, although it is a great idea for people who are suffering from the flu or a minor cold, it will not be good for patients who need a thorough check, at the doctors office they check your weight, temperature, blood pressure, and heart and lungs, you cannot do that via video otherwise. It will bring problems for patients who use video and are not being properly evaluated. These patients could have severely high temperatures, or they could be gaining a lot of weight within a few months, and expecting mothers need to have their baby thoroughly examined in person. E visits could be beneficial to a certain group of people, but others it would actually hurt them.
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ReplyDeleteI could see myself using this tool simply because I am always busy...However, I do not think it could FULLY replace the face to face appointments. Even though it would help, Doctors would not be able to obtain vital signs, look in your mouth, ears and nose without being face to face. He/She would not be able to feel your skin temperature/condition, etc.
ReplyDeleteImo, video conferencing is a great and convenient way for patients to reach doctors but I do not think this can replace in person visits. I guess it depends on the condition. If its something minor and not urgent, then by all means video conferencing is perfect! But something like chest pains, or a broken arm.. I would like to see a doctor face to face for better understanding of whats going on and how to treat it!
ReplyDeleteI Find this very interesting, because the healthcare field is a matter of life and death. This is where promoting an efficient system can save lives. In what ways can the healthcare system improve.
ReplyDeletei know this is not a technological system, but dont you think the minute clinic system like the ones at Walgreen and CVS could also be an alternative to pesky doctor visits?
ReplyDeleteI agree and think that it will not take away from the face to face visits. They will still be needed for people with serious issues, diseases, or pregnancy. But it will be a great technology for simple questions such as allergies, or a minor cold. Some times we make pointless doctor trips and take up time when there are other people in the waiting room who seriously need to see them. So this would be a great thing.
ReplyDeleteThere is another thing that worries me - privacy. Whatever gets online, stays online. Clearly, these e-visits are only possible with the help of the Internet. So how can patients protect themselves from hacker attacks or unintentional leaks?
ReplyDeleteApologies if this is a duplicate post, I've had a few not publish on me.
DeleteAll of the major healthcare providers have all files digitized and accessible via internet. I believe all of them also have user access available for patients to view their own records and communicate with their doctor's direct. Scary world when you think about hackers, but no scarier than banking or email or any other way we use the internet for matters we would like to keep private.
I see this technology used in the health industry as a major step forward in this busy world most people live in. However, the use of this technology will never be able to address majority of health concerns. As much of an inconvenience it may be to go to the doctor, the face to face contact between patient and physician can never be completely removed.
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