The surge of COVID cases throughout the year has left individuals in need of healthcare and with limited general practitioner services. To reduce physical interactions between physicians and patients, healthcare providers have helped patients via telemedicine clinics which provide medical information via electronic communication (i.e. phone or video calls). According to UCSF, the benefits of these clinics involve convenience and efficiency. There is no longer a need for transportation to hospitals in order for the most vulnerable patients to receive bedside assistance. It has maintained social distancing protocols while preserving personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare professionals. In addition to limiting exposure to the virus, these clinics have recorded high satisfaction ratings from families receiving treatment in rural areas.
Telemedicine clinics have played a significant role in countries around the world. Families in Saudi Arabia have received treatment for diabetes through these clinics. The Ministry of Health in Vietnam approved a 5-year telemedicine project that establishes community centers that connect patients to senior doctors. Although these clinics have mobilized medical resources to at-risk and impoverished populations, many setbacks prevent this form of healthcare from developing. In countries like Vietnam, there is limited access to technology for individuals to connect to their doctor in the first place. When given access to technology, there is still a patient’s concern for privacy and medical errors when sharing private medical/social information over the phone or internet. This drastic transition from in-person treatments towards virtual procedures also places a demanding toll on healthcare providers as it requires additional training with unfamiliar technology and different approaches when providing effective patient care. The viability of these telemedicine clinics will only improve by following structured guidelines that can be implemented in communities or households lacking the financial, technological, or social support necessary for a physician consultation. Possible guidelines could include iPad or Samsung tablet rentals for at-risk households or extensive training protocols for physicians around the world. Despite these setbacks, this virtual healthcare setting has not only served disadvantaged communities but has also emphasized the necessity for an efficient healthcare delivery system in this technology-driven generation. Whether telemedicine becomes a normal form of healthcare is still uncertain.
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