Telemedicine has evolved in recent years. Telemedicine has enabled patients to consult with physicians in different locations without having to transport the patient to a distant medical center. Technology has also made it possible for many patients to receive in-home care instead of being admitted to a healthcare facility, which increases the overall quality of life (Shi & Singh, 2017). Even with the pandemic that we are currently facing, telemedicine has been instrumental in treating patients physically and mentally.

Reference: 

Shi, L. & Singh, D.A. (2017). Essentials of the U.S. healthcare system. 4th   edition. Burlington, MA. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Elaborate how telemedicine impacts healthcare.

Include the following aspects in the discussion:

1) Reflect on a time when you or someone you know used telemedicine.

2) What were some advantages or disadvantages of utilizing the services?

3) Discuss how globalization affects telemedicine.

REPLY TO MY CLASSMATE’S DISCUSSION TO THE ABOVE QUESTION AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU AGREE. 

                                                       CLASSMATE’S POST

Telemedicine is referred to as the provision of healthcare remotely via information and communication technology (Kim & Zuckerman, 2019).  Telemedicine has advanced tremendously, making it possible for patients to obtain in-home care, faster pharmaceutical services, and health counseling at cheap cost and with rapidity. In Tan et al., (2019)’s view, telemedicine is now divided into four categories: consultations; education; monitoring; and surgery. Professionally, I’m a radiological technologist (RT) in the US Army. As a result, I work more closely with Telemedicine, particularly as it relates to consultation. As an RT, x-rays and x-rays files are sent all across the country and the world for interpretation and consultation by Radiologists. Because of the need for missions and exercises, radiologists are limited, so we must rely completely on telecommunication and videoconferencing for efficient and appropriate consultations and interpretation of x-rays. For my professional development and to stay up with the emerging healthcare developments, I rely on tele-education.

There are several benefits to using telemedicine to help patients with treatment assistance, illness management, and patient self-care. Telemedicine has created the opportunity to obtain all treatments at a minimal cost while still receiving high-quality treatment. Limited resources may enhance core operational benefits, lowering costs and improving quality of life. As a result, poorer nations may benefit from specialty healthcare services due to telemedicine (Kim & Zuckerman, 2019). According to Zigrang & Bailey (2022), one of the primary competitive advantages reported by providers was that telemedicine enabled them to expand their reach into underserved markets. Despite these advantages, telemedicine is initially costly for the health system to set up, operate, and maintain. Telemedicine is replacing the sacredness of the patient-provider relationship.

Globalization has benefited telemedicine. It has proven effective in tracking, controlling, and curing Coronavirus. Globalization has rapidly updated care through telemedicine. The providers at the bedside in Atlanta remain the primary caregivers and the team in Australia works collaboratively with Emory to remotely monitor patients and serve as backup support in the event of an emergency according to Globalization of Healthcare (2018). Orvisk & Klátik (2021) argue that global legalizing telemedicine is beneficial and has crisis potential. However, establishing legal requirements for patient identification, consent, and data security, as well as advising telemedicine physicians, remains a challenge.

                                                                 Reference:

              Globalization of Healthcare: Treating ICU Patients Remotely. (2018). AACN Bold Voices, 10(10), 10.

              Kim, T., & Zuckerman, J. E. (2019). Realizing the potential of telemedicine in global health. Journal of Global Health, 9(2), 1–4.https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.09.020307

              Orviský, M & Klátik, J. (2021) Telemedicine as a part of globalization and tool for innovation from the legal point of view. Globalization and its Socio-Economic Consequences 2020. SHS Web of Conferences 92, 0.  https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20219204018

               Tan, J. K. H., Olla, P., & Tan, J. (2019). Adaptive health management information systems: Concepts, cases, and practical applications.

                Zigrang, T., & Bailey-Wheaton, J. (2022). Valuation of Telemedicine: Competition (Part IV of V). Value Examiner, 35–39.