Telemedicine in health care setting: A review

Abstract

Introduction: Telemedicine is defined as clinical practice for diagnosis, review and management through synchronous or asynchronous way and through telecommunication. It signifies the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to improve patient outcome by increasing access to care and medical information and helps to provide timely information and consultation to patients in remote areas. Telemedicine make use of electronic communication mainly video conferencing. It is used as a tool for improving healthcare in future which promotes Health Care Providers (HCP)- patient interaction.

Methodology: Various articles were reviewed to measure the views of both patients as well as physicians towards telemedicine.

Observation: Advantages of telemedicine include avoidance of travelling. Thus, it lowers expenses, provides convenience and reduces the number of hospital stay. Telemedicine programs are used in the area of psychology, dermatology, radiology, etc. but disappointingly it had to be limited due to the lack of staffs. It plays an important role in ensuring regular medical advices to patients with chronic ailments mainly in developing countries. Majority poses positive views regarding telemedicine services but most of the people are unable to accept diversion from face to face interaction and poses a misbelief that use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of health care is not as effective as traditional method.