Telemedicine and Electronic Communication in Health Care Services
Telemedicine and electronic communication have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to provide healthcare services more efficiently and conveniently. Particularly, they are useful in situations where in-person visits may not be necessary or feasible. As such, telemedicine and electronic communication can be effective ways to deliver healthcare services. Nonetheless, it is important to recognize and address the potential benefits and challenges associated with relying on these methods.
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Telemedicine and electronic communication do not allow for a physical examination, which could lead to a wrong diagnosis. Notably, clinical examinations begin when a patient walks into a healthcare provider’s office. Signs that can only be elicited on examination are not included when communicating with a patient through telemedicine. This could lead to a wrong diagnosis and, ultimately, wrong treatment. There is also a concern about the safety of patients’ information (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021). Information shared through electronic communication channels can be accessed by unauthorized individuals if no security measures are in place. This would breach the privacy and confidentiality of patients. It would also lead to a loss of trust in healthcare providers.
Despite these challenges, there are benefits of using telemedicine and electronic communication in the healthcare industry. One of the benefits is increased accessibility of healthcare services (Hashiguchi, 2020). Individuals who find it difficult to access healthcare services would benefit from telemedicine and electronic communication—for instance, people living in remote areas, bedridden individuals, and the elderly. In addition, diagnosis and treatment can be made virtually.
Another benefit is the potential for increased patient involvement in care. Patients can access treatment information, interact with their healthcare provider, and closely monitor their health through telemedicine and electronic communication. Telemedicine and electronic communication can also reduce the spread of contagious diseases. By enabling healthcare providers to conduct remote consultations and diagnoses, they and their patients can avoid unnecessary exposure to infection.
References
Gajarawala, S. N., & Pelkowski, J. N. (2021). Telehealth benefits and barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17(2), 218-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013
Hashiguchi, T. C. O. (2020). Bringing health care to the patient: An overview of the use of telemedicine in OECD countries. https://doi.org/10.1787/18152015.
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Question
What are the perceived risks and benefits of relying more on telemedicine and electronic communication to help meet the need for health care services?
Telemedicine and Electronic Communication in Health Care Services
