From time to time I feel like we are living in the future that we imagined as kids.\u00a0 Self-driving cars, tablets that talk, screens that bend, it can be overwhelming (in a good way) sometimes.\u00a0 It won\u2019t be long before we are no longer greeted by Doctors, but by a robot on wheels, with a screen on the top of it streaming video chat with our medical professionals.\u00a0 It may sound silly, but what they call \u201ctelemedicine technology\u201d is actually becoming quite popular, and it won\u2019t be long before we start seeing it routinely.<\/p>\n
First reactions are \u201cI want to talk to a real person, not a machine.\u201d\u00a0 I can understand the statement, but the truth is, they are talking to a human being, our technology just allows that person to be in another place physically while talking to you and seeing you.\u00a0 Now obviously certain examinations will still have to be done in person, but this will allow doctors to do quick check in on patients, and get status updates from wherever they are, whether they are in surgery, with another patient, or stuck in the sand trap.\u00a0 The good side of it is that most people hate having to wait in the room for 2 hours for their doctor to show up.\u00a0 This technology allows doctors to get there much quicker and make a diagnosis, or ask questions.<\/p>\n
Medical costs are skyrocketing, especially for those with chronic conditions.\u00a0 Visiting with doctors can cost a fortune, as even I experienced a few months ago.\u00a0 I got so sick I could hardly speak, and had to go to the ER, and when there, I spoke with a doctor for probably a total of three minutes. For \u201cdoctors visit\u201d I was charged almost 300 dollars.\u00a0 That wasn\u2019t including any of the medicine or treatment.\u00a0 For those without insurance, I can only imagine the cost.\u00a0 Luckily this technology is one solution to these inflated costs.\u00a0 Being able to easily visit rooms remotely means less time working, fewer charges for the hospitals, and an easier way for patients with chronic conditions to communicate with their physicians.\u00a0 Skype video conferences are already becoming a widely used method for doctors to communicate with their chronic care patients from home.<\/p>\n
Technology is also helping fight the demands for specialists in rural areas.\u00a0 In many areas of the country (and across the globe) specialists are needed to help patients with very specific illnesses, but few operate in these rural areas if any at all.\u00a0 Video conferencing is allowing for specialists from other cities across the country to visually evaluate the patient and communicate with them, even if they are unable to get to them physically.\u00a0 In the past, the patient would either have to travel to the specialist if stable, or wait for one to travel to them, either way costing a lot of money and risking their health.<\/p>\n
No one can be sure of what will happen in the medical industry in the next several years, but we can hope technology is a part of it.\u00a0 If we are able to help more people at less cost for all of us, then I\u2019m for it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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