As the entire world adapts to the new normal thanks to the coronavirus, the hospice care in Burbank Ca is making some adjustments to make sure everyone can stay safe and healthy.
Obviously, if you practice social distancing, follow stay-at-home orders and wear a mask, you can protect yourself and others around you. However, what are people who are suffering from a chronic illness going to do to get the necessary medical attention?
Hospice medical professionals in Burbank Ca are providing safer forms of medical attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. What are these new ways of getting medical attention? Well, they are none other than telehealth as well as telemedicine, and Los Angeles hospice care is going to tell you more about them.
What is telemedicine?
According to the hospice in Burbank Ca, telemedicine is when the medicine is combined with the use of technology to provide care at a safe distance. A medical doctor is located in one location and uses a telecommunication tool to deliver care to a patient who is situated in a distant place.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc with our daily way of life, telemedicine is probably the safest, and probably the only method for individuals to speak to the palliative care team or their own doctor. Telemedicine helps to reduce the spread of the virus and makes it possible for people to stay safe at home when you have to speak to your medical professional.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth is when healthcare services and information are delivered through telecommunication technologies and services such as video conferencing platforms. Although not all patients are technologically savvy, guidance from others, preparation, and an awareness of what to expect can make telehealth a better alternative to an in-person doctor’s visit during the pandemic.
What happens?
You are probably wondering what happens during a telehealth or telemedicine session. Essentially, these sessions take place through a tablet, smartphone, or computer. As long as the electronic device has a webcam and a microphone, it is sufficient to use during your appointment.
Hospice care in Burbank Ca uses a platform that has a web-based telemedicine application that does not need the patient to download anything. The only requirement is an internet connection, and obviously a device. The prospective patients will get an email with a link or some instructions through the phone that will bring them into a virtual waiting room. If the platform becomes glitchy at any time, backups such as Skype, Zoom as well as FaceTime are used.
When the patient is connected, the telehealth appointment progresses just like any in-person appointment when conversation and questions are involved. However, when it comes to the physical examination, there is a difference. The physician will ask the patient a couple of questions to help diagnose any problems. Many doctors are aware that a good majority of patients are newcomers to telehealth and telemedicine so they will try their best to help patients easily transition into this new method and guide patients through their appointment.
How do I prepare for my appointment?
There are a few ways that patients can correctly get ready for their telehealth appointment. For instance, they can make sure they are in a setting with good lighting so the medical professional can see the patient well and guarantee a correct diagnosis. Also, ensure that you reduce the number of distractions and set up a proper camera angle. For example, you don’t want the camera to be too close to your face, but too far away either that the doctor can’t see your features.
Before your telehealth appointment, you should talk to your family members or caregivers and write down a list of questions that you want to ask during your appointment. Additionally, have your medications or a list of your current prescriptions at hand just in case you have to talk about them during your telehealth session.
If you or your loved one is not technically savvy, or needs some support, it’s fine for them to have someone such as a loved one or caregiver be present during their session. However, they should understand that the person they ask to be present at their appointment will overhear what is being discussed and they have to be okay with that. Also, there are other factors such as the functional abilities of the patient, since a caregiver or a loved one may have to hold the device or provide assistance with the best framing options.
What are the disadvantages and advantages?
The changeover from traditional health and medical appointments to telehealth and telemedicine has revealed some pros and cons for physicians as well as patients. Due to the fact the shift came on so rapidly, it has taken some time to improve and fine-tune this new health system.
You must keep in mind that now technology is involved and it’s also combining senior citizens who might not be as technologically savvy as the younger generations. Older patients might have issues with navigating through the digital space or may not consider a video conference as trustworthy as a face-to-face appointment. That is why it is important to have a family member or a loved one help the patient with the technology, but unfortunately, not all patients will have someone there to help them out.
One very clear advantage is that patients can get access to health services which would otherwise be very challenging due to the ongoing pandemic and social distancing measures. Technology is a powerful tool that allows a medical professional to diagnose a patient without having to interact with an individual in person and probably putting them at risk of contracting the virus.
Last but not least, telehealth and telemedicine appointments provide faster access to patients. Instead of waiting to schedule an appointment that is suitable for the patient as well as the doctor, then figure out how to get to the office, facility, or the patient’s home, the fact that all you have to do is log in and meet in a virtual space is a lot quicker, and when you get over the technological hurdle, more hassle-free too.
