Telemedicine is a relatively new method of medical consultation and health monitoring that uses telecommunications technology. It was first used in 1965, when doctors performed heart surgery while connected to their colleagues via video link.
The term “telemedicine” soon emerged, and the method became widely used decades later when video communication technologies had developed enough to provide the necessary level of sound and image quality.
What does telemedicine involve
With the growing availability of telecommunication equipment, the areas of telemedicine are numerous. Remote format facilitates not only patient consultations but also enables quick doctor-to-doctor consultations, decisions, or second opinion evaluations.
As for the interaction between patients and doctors, consultations can take place using:
1. Video conferencing
This is the most popular form of telemedicine, where consultations are conducted online. This format enables patients to discuss further treatment, attend a psychological session, or even obtain a sick note. At the very least, patients save time and money on travelling to the clinic.
2. Gadgets and home monitoring devices
Thanks to portable gadgets such as smart watches, patients can track basic body indicators and send the data to their doctor at any time for treatment or adjustment. Devices for measuring oxygen saturation or blood pressure can also be purchased for use at home and for consultation with a doctor.
3. Mobile applications
Even in such a serious field as medicine, the modern market can’t do without the integration of mobile applications. Patients can use apps for video consultations and health monitoring. Mobile apps are also in demand among doctors as they enable them to keep records and access patient medical histories.
Advantages of telemedicine
Today, telemedicine is a universal approach to healthcare and is therefore used in many areas of medicine. The most common example is online consultations with a psychologist, which have been gaining momentum in recent years.
In other areas, telemedicine is a useful tool for pediatricians. It is much more difficult for sick children to get to the hospital for treatment, and when it is time to close the sick leave and the child is on the mend, parents will prefer an online doctor's appointment rather than risking potential infection when visiting the hospital in person.
In addition to its versatility, telemedicine has a number of advantages:
- The ability to consult with a specialist in a narrow field, in cases where a clinic with such a doctor is located far away.
- Convenience for the elderly, patients with limited mobility, or, as mentioned above, children.
- Quick access to all necessary data. The patient can send personal monitoring data, and the doctor, in turn, has electronic access to the medical record.
The potential of applications in the telemedicine market
In addition to standard services that provide video connections for remote consultations, full-featured applications offer a whole range of services beyond video conferencing, which is one of the potentially best telehealth solutions. Clinics and specialists who provide remote consultations are increasingly turning to app developers, especially in the current reality, where people have become accustomed to remote services after COVID-19.
For services offering application development, the telemedicine niche is becoming a promising source of income, as more than 50% of clinics worldwide already use telecommunications to provide care to patients.
In turn, high-quality, multifunctional applications help maintain communication between doctors and patients. The current market offers mobile app development services for the convenience of both parties. For example, there are now apps on the market for:
- remote video consultations. Such platforms are designed specifically for real-time conferences with high image quality. Moreover, such a solution can be connected to many systems, including EHR.
- obtaining electronic prescriptions. Applications of this format help connect patients, doctors, and pharmacies at once. A unified system will help to manage prescriptions remotely.
- tracking health indicators. The application can also be developed for use by patients. A unified system collects data in one place, which helps patients present it to their attending physician on demand.
- online doctor appointments. Thanks to such apps, there is no need for phone calls and waiting in lines. You can book an appointment for any convenient time and simply connect to a video call on time. This approach reduces time and financial costs for patients and allows doctors to increase their flow and earnings.
Thus, the development of mobile applications meets the needs of users and makes telemedicine accessible to everyone.
Final thoughts
The remote format offered by telemedicine opens up new horizons in the provision of services. Every year, clinics develop their technical capabilities, which allows them to expand the range of consultations from different specialists.
This is not only economically advantageous, but also a convenient solution for doctors and patients, as treatment can continue without leaving home. The saturation of the market with mobile applications has made it possible to diversify and simplify the treatment process and encourage patients to monitor their health — all of which contributes to the overall well-being of the population.
