Med Talk/Health Talk: Telemedicine
Partner Testimonial
Quezon City, Metro Manila
“My parents wanted to check their heart condition and we used Teleconsultation. Mostly the same as physical consultation. We sent my parents’ laboratory results through Viber and explained it to us through a Zoom meeting. But services can really be limited especially when you are needed to be physically inspected. Teleconsultation can be great for initial check-ups.”
Pulilan, Bulacan
“I experienced telemedicine as a follow-up check up when I got sick. In my case I know that I should be physically inspected. So I think my consultation with the doctor is not worth it since the rate is just the same as traditional consultations. The doctor cannot see clearly if you have cysts or some rashes in your body.
That is why I think going directly to the hospital for check-ups is still better than online. The doctor can see you in person and can explain your situation better. It will be worth the price. I had no choice but to do it online since it was the time when covid started and it was really strict around here.”
Makati, Metro Manila
“I find Teleconsultation a hassle, most especially if you have problems with your internet connection. If that happens, we just make use of phone calls. It can also be quite more expensive than physical consultation. I would still prefer physical consultations since I need to be tested a lot.”
Antipolo, Rizal
“Telemedicine is convenient when it comes to appointments. No need to wait for hours in line, there is no need to travel as well. But knowing the situation about the internet connection in our country, sometimes there are technical difficulties so you cannot clearly hear each other. Some also consider sending results during consultations a hassle, though for some it is convenient. Prescriptions are easier to understand since they send digital copies of it instead of handwritten. Though I do believe traditional or usual physical consultations are still better in some cases. During physical consultations, we can express thoroughly how we feel and what we feel. You can also see actual presentations of the results of your tests, most especially if they are also done physically. Other than that, you are able to communicate with the doctor without interruptions.”
Quezon City, Metro Manila
“My experience with telemedicine is the assurance I get that I am safe away from the hospital in the confines of my home. It also saves for me time and effort compared to preparing for a consultation done in the hospital or the clinic with a physician. No scenario with traffic, and no pressure to rush. This affords me a calm mind in these times of pandemic which has been stressful as it is..”
Telemedicine has been a major beneficiary of the proliferation of technological innovations and has the potential to revolutionize the delivery of healthcare. The “practice of telemedicine” is known to be a remote diagnosis and treatment of patients utilizing telecommunication technologies and electronic information. Apparently, the unprecedented surge in illness due to the current global pandemic (COVID-19) significantly increases the demand for interest in this innovative health care service.
The basic premise of telemedicine is to provide convenience and reduce the amount of travel required for both physician and patients which possibly leads to cost savings. It also supports efforts to improve the quality of healthcare by expanding accessibility and efficiency through providing clinical support (treatment and follow-up care) for both healthcare providers and patients. Utilizing communication devices overcomes geographic barriers and allows providers to treat patients at home and expand health care services in remote areas.
The practice of telemedicine is diverse, experimental, evolving and at the same time disrupting the traditional health care delivery. Despite its advocates, during this global pandemic telemedicine has been challenged. Since there are services a physician cannot provide with telemedicine, without a “face-to-face” consultations and examinations between provider and patient is not indicative of “real” nursing and can possibly lead to misdiagnosis. The fail to render the same level of assistance as hands-on care, regulations that impede telemedicine, and inadequate telemedicine applications patently deemed as threat to patient’s safety.
Evidently, we are still in the early stage of practicing telemedicine and we cannot completely consider this disruptive innovation to replace the traditional health care delivery. Therefore, as with any disruptive innovation the success of telemedicine requires time, validation, strategic planning, and the right catalyst to be able to surmount possible dilemmas such as but not limited to infrastructure, costs and reimbursement, human factors, and equipment and technology issues.
