Video telemedicine, or telemedicine, can be defined as the use of technology by a healthcare professional to diagnose and treat patients in a remote location. This emerging technology uses telecommunication and information technologies in order to provide clinical health care at a distance. Tele is a Greek word meaning distance and mederi is a Latin word meaning to heal. Video telemedicine helps reduce re-hospitalization by extending care at home, provide easy-to-use interface, deliver video-audio consultation, as well as reduce associated costs and travel time. Telemedicine refers to the practice of caring for patients remotely when the provider and patient are not physically present with each other.
Video telemedicine is a general term that encompasses all the ways both people and doctors use technology to communicate without being in the same room. It includes video chats, phone calls, text messages, and emails. People also call it telehealth, e-health, digital medicine, or m-Health (Mobile Health). The provider must use an interactive video telecommunications that permits real-time communication between the distant site and the patient at home. It allows medical professionals to participate in virtual visits with patients. Telemedicine plays a major role in the healthcare industry, and when utilized properly, it can provide tangible benefits for both patients and healthcare workers.
Video telemedicine allows doctors to answer patients’ questions or request more information about their condition. Doctors can use this technology to diagnose and treat patients at a remote location. These services allow for doctors to monitor patients over long distances, even if they don’t have internet access. A recent federal policy change makes video chat more accessible, allowing doctors to provide remote care via telecommunication and information technologies. A recent study indicates that video chat helps people who have trouble talking on the phone to communicate with their physicians. This can be a great way to share health information with a physician, when distance separates the participants.
Telemedicine is becoming a common practice among doctors today. Many medical/healthcare practices have already incorporated video conferencing into their practices. Moreover, the rise in popularity of telemedicine has led to the development of new tools and software. There are still some challenges in the video telemedicine. However, the technology is improving rapidly and many states or countries are moving towards implementing video conferencing laws and regulations. This allows doctors and patients to have an instantaneous consultation. Moreover, the use of telemedicine is a viable option for geriatric population, while the unavailability of Internet services is a major obstacle to accessing healthcare services.
Video telemedicine has emerged as an essential component of healthcare during the outbreak of COVID-19 (global pandemic), because during the pandemic, physical distancing was put in place to curb the spread of the virus. This resulted in the adoption of most outpatient oncology appointment for telemedicine. Moreover, the pandemic encouraged healthcare professionals to adapt telemedicine-based consultations during the COVID-19. In short, video telemedicine has successfully improved the quality and accessibility of healthcare by allowing distant providers to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and provide follow-up care to patients in a remote location.