Understanding the role of telemedicine in modern healthcare
This expository essay example, tailored for college-level medicine students and formatted in APA style, explores the pivotal role of telemedicine in modern healthcare. Written by our skilled essay writer, the paper delves into how telemedicine has become integral to health service delivery, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This expository essay covers the technological advancements that facilitate remote care, the benefits for patients and healthcare providers, and the challenges, such as the digital divide and privacy concerns. Additionally, the essay writer noticed the impact of telemedicine on patient outcomes is analyzed, suggesting improvements in chronic disease management and mental health care.
November 5, 2024
* The sample essays are for browsing purposes only and are not to be submitted as original work to avoid issues with plagiarism.
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Understanding the Role of Telemedicine in Modern Healthcare
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Understanding the Role of Telemedicine in Modern Healthcare
Telemedicine has emerged as the core of health service delivery in the last few years,
with advancements in the use of technology and increased demand for access to health
services. The paper presents an overview of telemedicine, its benefits, challenges, and impact
on healthcare. From the growth and influence that telemedicine has had on service delivery to
patients, it is clear from this paper what the main contribution of telemedicine is in the
improvement of access to health care and positive results at the patient level.
Telemedicine on the Rise
It is defined as a method of delivering healthcare services through the use of
telecommunications technology, including video calls, phone consultations, and online
portals for patients (George & George, 2023). Although the concept of remote care is not
new, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption rate, as many providers and patients
turned toward telemedicine as a safer alternative to in-person visits. The American Medical
Association says that telemedicine visits increased by more than 50% in 2020 alone,
reflecting a major shift in healthcare delivery (Omboni et al., 2022).
A number of factors have helped fuel this trend. First, advances in mobile and digital
technologies have helped make implementing telemedicine platforms simpler and more
accessible (Haleem et al., 2021). Greater broadband access and digital literacy have
contributed to its adaptation as well (Omboni et al., 2022). These advances, in concert, have
allowed health providers to reach out to a cadre of patients who may otherwise have been
difficult to reach.
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Benefits of Telemedicine
Telemedicine thus has a lot of advantages for both patients and healthcare providers.
First, it increases access. This is because remote consultations by patients who live in areas
that are either rural or under-resourced make it possible for them to see a specialist without
having to travel long distances (Haleem et al., 2021). It also offers alternatives to patients
who have mobility problems or other chronic conditions that may make traveling
inconveniencing, thus increasing their access to timely medical advice (Omboni et al., 2022;
Haleem et al., 2021).
Other key benefits include cost savings for health care. Telemedicine cuts down the
contact of physical infrastructure, time wasted in waiting rooms, and overall cost to both the
patients and providers (George & George, 2023). The American Telemedicine Association
reported that many telemedicine visits cost less than in-person visits; they can also reduce the
number of no-shows that otherwise lead to lost revenue. Moreover, telemedicine raises the
patient load that providers can handle and thus expedite health care delivery (Omboni et al.,
2022).
Challenges to Telemedicine
Telemedicine is also not devoid of challenges. First, there is a problem of a digital
divide where, because of the lack of reliable internet provision and digital devices,
telemedicine services are limited to specific individuals. In addition, broadband availability is
comparably lower in rural and low-income communities; as such, it is hard for these groups
to benefit from telemedicine services (George & George, 2023).
Digital platforms are used in telemedicine; thus, the aspect of privacy and security
raises the alarm. This calls for ensured use and compliance with regulations such as the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act to protect patient data (Omboni et al.,
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2022). Moreover, certain medical conditions require a physical examination or diagnostic test
that cannot be conducted remotely, which again raises questions about the applicability of
telemedicine in health care.
Impact on Patient Outcomes
Evidence indicates that telemedicine might result in better patient outcomes by
improving the continuity of care for chronic conditions, including diabetes and hypertension,
as well as for mental health disorders (Omboni et al., 2022). The technology supports regular
follow-ups and proper medication management; these diseases can, therefore, be followed up
on closely, and hospitalization or visits to the emergency department are avoided when not
necessary (George & George, 2023). Besides, several studies have hinted that for patients, the
convenience and flexibility of telemedicine act as a motivating factor in following the
treatment plan more closely, which leads to good health outcomes.
Conclusion
Telemedicine is the future of healthcare delivery, affording greater accessibility, lower
cost, and the potential for improved patient outcomes. Challenges persist concerning
technology access and privacy, among others, but the benefits of telemedicine confer
relevance on its role in healthcare. Continued innovation and investment in the infrastructure
of telemedicine are crucial enablers in creating more accessible, far more effective services
for wide patient populations. In view of what is taking place within the healthcare industry
today, telemedicine is very likely to continue playing an important role in delivering quality,
patient-centered care.
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References
George, D. A. S., & George, A. S. H. (2023). Telemedicine: A New Way to Provide
Healthcare. Partners Universal International Innovation Journal, 1(3), 98–129.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8075850
Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Singh, R. P., & Suman, R. (2021). Telemedicine for healthcare:
Capabilities, features, barriers, and applications. Sensors International, 2(2), 100–117.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100117
Omboni, S., Padwal, R. S., Alessa, T., Benczúr, B., Green, B. B., Hubbard, I., Kario, K.,
Khan, N. A., Konradi, A., Logan, A. G., Lu, Y., Mars, M., McManus, R. J., Melville,
S., Neumann, C. L., Parati, G., Renna, N. F., Ryvlin, P., Saner, H., & Schutte, A. E.
(2022). The worldwide impact of telemedicine during COVID-19: current evidence
and recommendations for the future. Connected Health, 1(1).
https://doi.org/10.20517/ch.2021.03
November 5, 2024
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Academic level:
Undergraduate 1-2
Type of paper:
Expository essay
Discipline:
Medicine
Citation:
APA
Pages:
2 (762 words)
* The sample essays are for browsing purposes only and are not to be submitted as original work to avoid issues with plagiarism.
