Imagine a scenario where you could consult your doctor without having to travel, wait in the queue in the hospital/clinic or even avoid the risk of getting an infection from other patients waiting at the same place, especially in times like these where there is a viral pandemic- Welcome to the world of telemedicine.

Though they say there is no substitute to the physician’s touch while treating illness, in today’s real-world scenario it is still prudent and technically feasible to consult your doctor online and seek timely medical advice with a mobile phone/I pad/Laptop. Healthcare and other medical services can be easily accessed with the help of a smartphone. It has become more convenient to track, regulate, and monitor several details such as medicine intake, lab investigations and treatment. The communication gap between the patients and doctors for want of time and distance has reduced over the years owing to advancements in technology.

For years together, the medical student is taught that a proper history & thorough clinical examination is the basic prerequisite to arrive at a provisional diagnosis, prior to ordering investigations. The feel of the pulse, auscultation of the chest and placing the well-informed hand on the abdomen to feel the lumps and bumps can never be taken for granted. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is hastening the transition to a new model of remotely delivered healthcare that embraces the benefits of digital and data technologies. Though it may not be seen as a solution to the current crisis, it will have far-reaching repercussions in the days to come.

https://www.drsrivatsan.com/a-surgeons-take-on-telemedicine-and-how-it-is-effective-in-todays-times/