Since the corona infection began to spread, people all over the world have been advised to stay at home. They have been working from home as there is high risk of infection and no one can predict who is safe and who is in danger. Even the healthcare providers, who are the lifesavers, are at high risk and due to spread of infection, patients other than those suffering from corona, have been warned to stay home and seek doctor’s advice online rather than visiting the clinics or hospitals.
It was found that during the lockdown, telemedicine was embraced like never before; people who never liked the concept of talking to their doctor on the phone or meeting on video conferencing or messaging were now ready to consult their healthcare providers online. As the coronavirus cases continue to surge, the doctors and the healthcare system all over the world race to adopt virtual treatment approaches that help to reduce the need for physical meetings between the patients and doctors and meet on a digital platform, from the safety of their homes and offices.
How virtual healthcare has
helped healthcare sector during coronavirus
With help of advanced technology, doctors were able to see up to hundred patients a day during the outbreak which is a significant development as the number of patients using telemedicine was very low up till now. To make it even more effective and result-oriented, the governments are also trying to come up with better and user-friendly applications that make use of instant messaging platforms such as WhatsApp that make virtual healthcare even more operational and useful. Now it covers a full suite of virtual healthcare services that include public messaging about behavioral modifications, epidemiological tracing and swift as well as easy access to virtual healthcare providers in time of need.
As the use of mobile phones or rather smartphones is inevitable these days, the technological barriers to the adaptation of virtual healthcare is easy to manage, even in locations where resources are scarce and patients faced problems in accessing the doctor online previously. The virtual intercom communication systems provides healthcare specialists a chance to monitor and remain connected with their patients over video screens from anywhere in the hospital. With this, the patients are also able to see a human face when all other personal contact is prohibited and they cannot share their problems any other way.
Virtual healthcare played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic; not only it highlighted the value of technology for preventing such contagious diseases but also defined the significance of telehealth and how it can help patients as well as caregivers in maintaining a healthy society.
As the pandemic increased the need of isolation for patients, it meant more and more people were quarantined in their homes due to lack of space in the hospitals as well as fear of infection. During this time, it was with help of virtual healthcare and remote patient monitoring that doctors and specialists remained connected with their patients and kept on delivering quality care online, minimizing risk to patients and the staff.
By collapsing the barriers of
time and distance, virtual healthcare is the best means for seeking low cost,
patient centered care that is most convenient and it continues to become more
productive when combined with technology especially in times like a pandemic. Experts
have been quick to point out how the technology utilized during the COVID-19
can be used for helping with outdated methods of healthcare delivery and come
up with new and improved ways for patient health.
By observing the role of virtual healthcare Oregon during the coronavirus and how it helped to manage things during the worst of times, it would not be wrong to say that healthcare system will be undergoing a massive change in the near future and more people will be able to enjoy better health outcomes with help of technology based medical assistance.
