LIFESTYLE AUTHOR
Rahman Mohammed M.D.
MEDICINE GONE VIRTUAL? n
Why telehealth might just be the best answer for both patients and doctors.
T
he pandemic has changed the way we perceive and access healthcare. With over 4 million deaths worldwide, COVID-19 has created a collective concern for hygiene and safety — and that includes medical practices. It has also made it harder for people to take advantage of even normal services without an added layer of fear. This need to increase access to healthcare has fueled the immense growth of a previously fringe industry: telemedicine, also known as healthtech. We are seeing traditional industries worldwide rapidly take a digital turn in order to adapt to the changing consumer behaviors. From grocery
SEPTEMBER 2021
shopping to going to work, everything can now be done conveniently from our homes — including doctor visitation and consultation. Telemedicine apps are the new normal for the healthcare industry. They aren’t just convenient for the patients but also have been a blessing for the local physicians. It is widely stated that effective physicianpatient communication can influence health outcomes by enhancing the patient’s satisfaction, thus leading to a greater understanding of their health problems and the treatments available. But the burnout of local physicians is an alarming situation that our country is facing, and telemedicine apps could be just what we
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