Tele-Health Imagine being operated on by a surgeon on the other side of the world. Does this sound like science fiction? Well, it is science, but it's not fiction. Tele health now allows surgery without being in the room with the patient, as the surgery is done robotically. Tele-Surgery There is a very detailed protocol for surgery to be performed without the surgeon in the same room. The surgeon may be across the world, however there will still be a complete staff of operating room in attendance, right by the patient's side. The surgeon will use a computer-generated program, and with the aid of a joystick device, they can perform surgery over the computer, just as if they were right there with the patient. While some patients are not comfortable with an absentee surgeon, others are perfectly fine and willing to go under the robotic knife. Forms of Virtual Healthcare Virtual doctors are the new trend. If you have a cold and need to visit with a doctor to perhaps get a prescription for a decongestant, you can now open an app, and in seconds be visiting with a doctor. The doctor interacts with the patient virtually, so if someone is comfortable with a discussion via computer, it's not a bad thing. It does help keep medical costs down, and you don't have to leave the privacy of your own home. The newest form of online medical help is virtual ask a nurse. A nurse helpline is dedicated to helping answer simple medical questions from patients, and often advise whether to see a doctor, go to ahospital, or not to worry and let things go for now. Nurse helplines have been in existence for many years, however thevirtual nurse help line is new, and gaining strong popularity. Related: Top 5 New Year's Resolutions for Nurses A few drugstores are now incorporating virtual pharmacists. You pull to a drive thru, and interact with the pharmacist over a Video screen. The fact is, we live in a computerized virtual world. It may seem a little impersonal, but it's here to stay, and it not really a bad thing. It allows doctors and nurses to see many more patients in a day's time, of course it's not in person, however it is the next best thing. There will still be occasions that patients need to visit a doctor’s office and of course a hospital. Nothing
will ever take the place of a room in a hospital when you need complete medical care or treatment. The verdict is still out on the success and satisfaction within the new world of virtual medical treatment. Most physicians are open to the idea, however feel it should consume a fraction of their time, with the rest being within the physical office. Some companies are now working to develop at home medical devices. There are currently devices that transport information to a medical office, and these products are expected to be on the increase over the coming years. The art of tele medicine is intended to be used as a supplement to the patient and physician, and not intended to take the place of physical doctor visits when needed. An annual physical will most likely always be done in person, as will many other procedures that require hands on treatment. For information on tele health, or virtual physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, there is tons of information now available online from multiple resources. Ask your current physician if they plan to offer virtual services. As suggestions are made to them they may move into the virtual direction. Related: Acclaimed Registered Nurse Jodie Tremblay, RN, ASCN, will be Highlighted in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter