“
Telemedicine &
amp;
Telepharmacy:
A New Dimension In The Practice Of Medicine.”
The purpose of this work is to describe the field of telemedicine and telepharmacy to stimulate a profession wide dialogue about role of communication technologies in provision of
healthcare from a distance. Telemedicine is the use of modern telecommunications and information technologies for the provision of clinical care to individual at a distance and transmission of information to provide that care. Telepharmacy is the use of state-of-the-art telecommunication technology;
pharmacists are able to provide pharmaceutical care to
patients at a distance. Telepharmacy expands access to quality health care to communities nationwide, primarily in rural, medically undeserved areas.Objective of this study is to overview the present knowledge on the basis of collection, evaluation, communication and the use of information about drugs, diseases and patients with the help of new technologies such as video-conferencing, telephones, computers, the internet, fax, radio & television. Modern information technologies not only influence the delivery of healthcare but also significantly influence the physician-
Patient relationship.The information and communication technology makes it possible for physician or any Pharmacists to send text, images and even video footage to a specialist at the receiving end who studies the images after evaluating data. The case of patient at Rajkot Civil Hospital in India is a perfect example. Physicians “referred” on emergency case to UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research, Ahmedabad,India. But the patient did not have to go there! Rajkot doctors took digital images of his X-rays, CT- scan, medical records and forwarded them to cardiologists at the UN Mehta Institute for analysis. The specialists in turn suggested suitable treatment on the basis of this data. Telepharmacy also works when the physician has written a prescription and his health care submits information electronically notifying the pharmacist in any area where the prescription is needed.Through Telemedicine patients benefit from the treatment, doctors worldwide get to discuss, share knowledge and information through video conferencing.Patient in rural areas can avail of a specialist’s knowledge without having to travel to a city. This technology provides better patient services that are also cost-effective & timely. The benefits of telepharmacy should match those of telemedicine probably greatest advantage would be the virtual unified health record.Although the telemedicine & telepharmacy seems to be technology which can improve our healthcare system drastically, it suffers with some major problems like, Lack of health care infrastructure and services.
Shortage of computer-savvy healthcare personnel. Poor quality of communication services in most cities. The applications of Telemedicine & Telepharmacy includes Transmission of patient data (General practitioner to specialist)Transmission of treatment plan (Specialist to general practitioner)Education session for remote health professionals. i.e. Medical students, Patients, Pharmacists etc. through live interaction & access to database.Example of these applications includes, Telemedicine will be seen in action within 24 hours after devastating natural calamities. Best example of this is earthquake in 2001 at Bhuj in Gujarat. Recent example of the use of telemedicine has seen in Mumbai at 26th July during deluge where people who were suffering from life threatening diseases such as Dengue, Malaria & Leptospirosis etc. were instructed with the help of radio as a tool of telemedicine with success.With explanation of the future, “ The telemedicine market is set to experience high levels of growth in coming years as they are now working with health care facilities to meet the patient demand for home treatment.” Telemedicine presents pharmacy and individual pharmacists with great opportunities to become an even more integral part of the medication use system. In Tamilnadu and Kerala the Government is also taking an initiative to implement telemedicine programs. It is concluded that Telemedicine & Telepharmacy has been one of the greatest influences on modern medicines and could possibly eliminate the impoverished healthcare systems located in rural area, replacing them with affordable, efficient and accessible healthcare.Telemedicine is expected to provide the following benefits,c reate permanent infrastructure for teleconsultation, Reduce the number of non-emergency patients visiting tertiary care hospitals.With this I conclude that, “ Telemedicine is the new era of Medicine.”
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