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How Does Telemedicine Work?
Did you know that 37% of American adults have used telemedicine within the past 12 months? Telemedicine has become more popular since the COVID-19 pandemic, and large employers, hospitals, and insurance companies are turning to telemedicine more and more.
If you’re considering telemedicine, it’s essential to learn more about how telemedicine works. This way, you’ll be able to determine if it’s the right choice for your current healthcare needs.
Keep reading this guide to learn everything you need to know about telemedicine!
What Is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine or telehealth is essentially a virtual doctor visit. The doctor will use technology to communicate with you, but you’re not in the same room. However, beyond this, there are some differences between telemedicine and telehealth. Telemedicine is looked at as healing from a distance.
It allows you to receive the necessary treatment without going to a physician’s office for medical assistance. On the other hand, telehealth goes beyond telemedicine by enabling healthcare professionals to hold meetings and work on continuing medical education.
However, you’ll hear these terms used interchangeably regarding virtual doctor visits.
How Does Telemedicine Work?
This technology typically includes video chats, phone calls, emails, or text messages. Email or text messages are sent using secure messaging. You’ll be able to exchange messages with your healthcare provider as often as you need to.
Telemedicine also involves remote monitoring. Sometimes your healthcare provider will want you to take vital signs at home, like your blood pressure and heart rate. Typically you’ll use a device that takes this information and sends it to your doctor.
You’ll need a computer or a smartphone to use telemedicine services. Telemedicine can help with situations like:
- Diagnose medical problems like a sore throat or back pain
- Get assistance with home treatments for various medical issues
- Provides appointments for post-treatment follow up
- It enables you to get a prescription refill
- Available on holidays and weekends
- It helps if you can’t leave your home due to illness or bad weather
- If you live in a rural area
- If you’re away from home and need medical care
Who Uses Telemedicine?
Many doctor’s offices are now offering telemedicine options. You’ll also be able to find virtual clinics that allow you to connect with many types of different specialists, such as:
- Pain management
- Cardiology
- Mental health
- Endocrinology
Many telemedicine clinics also offer flu assessments and COVID-19 assessments. You can also find telemedicine options through your health insurance provider.
Health insurance companies will help you find access to virtual medicine visits. You’ll typically be able to use an app or a web-based portal to access these visits.
You can even use telemedicine options when ordering your prescription online. To use these types of services, you’ll go online and search through a selection of medications. Once you find the medication you’re prescribed, you’ll be able to complete the order process by phone or live chat.
Once this prescription information is confirmed with your doctor, you’ll be able to pay for your prescription and have it delivered directly to your home.
Benefits of Telemedicine
Telemedicine has many advantages you need to be aware of. First, new technology has made telemedicine easy to use, even if you’re not computer savvy. Online charts, platforms, and apps make your appointment easy to manage.
Other benefits include:
Convenient and Comfortable
You don’t have to drive to a doctor’s office when you see a telemedicine provider. You also don’t have to sit in a waiting room while you’re sick.
Virtual visits can fit into a busy schedule since you won’t have to leave work or arrange for childcare.
Saves Money
You also won’t have to spend extra money to access quality medical care. For example, you won’t have to pay for gas or miss hours from work.
Often, a telemedicine visit is one fixed fee, which is cheaper than urgent care clinic visits. Even doctors save money with telemedicine. This is because they don’t have to worry about as many no-shows or cancellations.
Stops the Spread of Infection
COVID-19, the flu, and other infectious illnesses can easily be spread by in-person contact. You can use a telemedicine appointment for these screenings instead.
It also prevents you from going to the office when you’re sick and spreading germs. It also means you’ll have less exposure to germs. This makes telemedicine appointments very helpful for:
- Pregnant women
- Elderly people
- Infants
- People with chronic illnesses
- Immunocompromised people
Thorough Assessments
Telemedicine gives your healthcare providers a window into your home environment. For example, physical therapists can assess how you navigate around your home.
Also, if you suffer from allergies, your doctor will be able to see your home and pick up on things that may be causing your symptoms.
It’s also a great way to get counseling or a mental health assessment since you’ll be more comfortable at home.
Better Chronic Disease Management
Regular doctor visits are essential to managing chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease. These visits are also very time-consuming, and it can be all too easy to skip your appointments.
With telemedicine visits, you can easily see your doctor without worrying about a long commute. You’ll typically be able to schedule appointments with the next available doctor, so you won’t have to wait for an appointment.
All of this makes prescription refills and symptom management much more manageable.
You can even include your family members if you need more support managing a chronic illness. Family members can log on and connect with you and your doctor during a virtual visit.
Choosing an Online Pharmacy
Now that you know more about telemedicine, you can start using it more for your healthcare needs. Be sure to talk to your doctor about what telemedicine options are available for you.
It’s also essential to find an online pharmacy you can trust. You won’t need to look any further than Canadian Pharmacy Online. We provide the prescriptions you need at affordable prices.
Once you send us your prescription and details, like your shipping address, we’ll ship your order within 24 to 48 hours. To learn more about our services, make sure to contact us today!