Telemedicine uses digital and telecommunications technology to provide healthcare at a distance. It is usually based on video consultations, but may also involve mobile applications, personal devices that monitor blood pressure or sleep, telephone appointments and secure written communication.
Many people can benefit from telemedicine. Remote care may replace an in-person appointment when appropriate or complement face-to-face treatment.
There is growing evidence that, in suitable clinical situations, telemedicine can be as safe and effective as face-to-face care, provided remote assessment is practical and appropriate for the patient.
When is telemedicine particularly useful?
Telemedicine may be particularly useful in the following situations:
1. People living in remote or rural areas who would otherwise have to travel long distances to see a specialist.
2. Patients who find it difficult to leave home because of illness, disability or caring responsibilities.
3. Situations in which privacy is particularly important. Stigma surrounding mental-health care, for example, remains a problem in many countries, families and communities.
4. International patients, people living abroad and those who travel frequently.
5. Patients who want to consult a doctor who speaks their first language but live in another country.
6. Areas where local face-to-face services are unavailable or have long waiting lists.
7. Cases in which an online service provides access to a particular specialist who would otherwise be difficult to reach.
Advantages of telemedicine
Privacy
Clinical confidentiality is essential in every setting. A remote consultation may also offer practical privacy by allowing the patient to attend without visiting a clinic in person.
Continuity with the same specialist
Patients can continue seeing the same doctor when travelling or moving to another city or country, avoiding the need to start again with a new clinician each time.
Convenience
You can attend from home or another suitable private location. All you need is a reliable internet connection, an appropriate device and enough privacy for the consultation.
Shorter waits
Remote appointments can sometimes shorten waiting times for both initial consultations and follow-up care.
Flexible scheduling
Online care can be easier to fit around work, travel and changing personal commitments.
Resilience when plans change
An unexpected journey or the need to remain at home does not necessarily mean cancelling care. With a suitable connection and a private space, the appointment may still be able to go ahead.
Better access to specialist care
Telemedicine can provide access to specialist assessment in locations where the relevant clinician is not available.
Lower environmental and travel costs
Avoiding a journey reduces travel time, transport costs and environmental impact.
When does telemedicine have important limitations?
Suitability must be assessed for each patient. Remote care may be less appropriate when:
- A physical examination is essential to the assessment.
- The patient cannot participate or concentrate adequately online.
- Video technology causes significant discomfort.
- The patient does not have the device, connection or digital skills needed.
- There is an emergency or a level of risk that requires immediate local care.
A clinician may begin with a remote consultation and then recommend an in-person appointment if the available information is not sufficient.
Telemedicine for hospitals and healthcare organisations
Telemedicine can expand the services offered by a hospital, clinic or residential care organisation without requiring every specialist to be physically present on site.
SAMON Clinic provides remote specialist services for hospitals, medical centres, clinics and residential institutions when on-site specialist cover is difficult to arrange or too costly.
Experienced online clinicians can help fill gaps in specialist provision. SAMON Medical Services provides specialist care under contract, enabling partner organisations to give their patients access to the appropriate expertise within their own service.
