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Health Assessment- Research Paper #1 Telehealth Medicine

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Health Assessment- Research Paper #1 Telehealth Medicine

Telehealth utilizes digital and virtual communication to transform medical services. This

technology allows healthcare providers to remotely provide various healthcare and health

management services. Telehealth allows healthcare professionals and patients to communicate

from anywhere, whether the provider's office or a mobile device. It overcomes geographical

constraints (Barbosa et al., 2021). Rural and underserved patients can now get great treatment

without traveling far. This is especially helpful for elderly, disabled, or transportation-challenged

people. It allows patients to consult with professionals in other countries, improving access to

specialized care. This paper will address telehealth's pros and cons, the assessment method, its

limitations, and healthcare providers' and patients' differing views on its efficacy.

Pros and Cons of Telehealth

Pros

Telehealth offers numerous benefits that cater to the evolving healthcare needs of

patients. One significant advantage is improved access to high-quality and cost-effective

treatment. Patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes can greatly benefit from the Remote

Patient Monitoring service provided through telehealth (De Groot et al., 2021). This service

helps patients manage their long-term health conditions effectively, reducing re-hospitalization

rates and emergency department visits. Telehealth also extends healthcare services to a larger

population. Individuals living in areas, who may face problems accessing healthcare services

during emergencies, can now seek immediate assistance from the nearest healthcare facility

through telecommunication (Haleem et al., 2021). Furthermore, it emphasizes risk avoidance by

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reducing the need for patients to physically visit hospitals, minimizing the risk of infection

transmission and travel-related errors.

Telehealth saves patients money beyond healthcare costs. This reduces hospital visits,

relieves healthcare systems and resources, and saves providers and insurers money. It helps

nurses by giving them more scheduling flexibility. They can care for patients remotely without

commuting or working set shifts. This flexibility improves their work-life balance, time

management, and job happiness. Besides financial and work benefits, telemedicine encourages

people to take charge of their healthcare. Virtual consultations and remote monitoring encourage

patients to manage their health. Active engagement improves health, treatment adherence, and

well-being. Telehealth empowers patients and healthcare providers to create a patient-centered,

efficient healthcare system. Technology improves patient-provider communication, education,

and support. It makes healthcare more accessible, personalized, and flexible for patients and

providers.

Cons

However, there are several drawbacks associated with the utilization of telehealth. One

major disadvantage is the requirement for certain medical procedures to be performed at a

medical facility, as they cannot be accurately carried out through phone calls or a quick

observation of a patient's monitor to determine heart rates. Additionally, the lack of laboratory

services poses a challenge as blood tests cannot be conducted at home and necessitate in-person

discussion. Another obstacle to telehealth is the limited availability of crucial telenursing

supplies for specific patients and providers. Telehealth services can only be provided by licensed
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nurses to practice in the respective locations. Insurance companies typically cover the initial

adoption of telemedicine.

Telehealth relies on a stable internet connection, which is not universally accessible and

affordable for everyone. The use of technology is essential but not feasible for various

individuals because of financial constraints. There is a digital divide, particularly between

genders, where non-technical individuals may struggle to take advantage of this remarkable

advancement in healthcare. This limitation hampers the assessment process. Nurses rely on four

key methods to conduct physical evaluations and gather a patient's medical and family history. If

this cannot occur, diagnoses and evaluations are solely based on past information. The

prevalence of hackers in today's world increases the risk of data security breaches, posing a

potential threat to patient information (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021). While insurers

progressively support telehealth consultations, certain services may not be fully reimbursed,

potentially resulting in patients being responsible for additional expenses.

Approach and Performance of Telehealth Assessment

My initial step would involve verifying my proficiency in its usage to ensure that I am

adequately trained in telehealth technology. Once I have determined the most suitable

technology, I will focus on maintaining a vigilant presence while considering factors such as my

posture and environment. Punctuality and professional attire will be prioritized to optimize the

time spent with the patient. It will be essential for me to gather the client's personal information

and insurance details. I will actively inquire about a concise overview of the patient's symptoms

throughout the session. I will carefully observe the patient to determine the suitability of

telehealth as a treatment method and to evaluate the patient's physical and mental readiness to
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engage in it. I will provide a clear explanation of the procedures and activities that will take place

during the session. Before concluding, I will ask the patient, "Is there anything else you would

like to share?" Moreover, I will clarify any ambiguous aspects that are potentially not adequately

captured by simulated cameras.

Limits to Telehealth

Geographical factors affect the use of telemedicine significantly. It can pose challenges

when filing a claim for an outcome that was not satisfactory if the practitioner is in a different

country from the patient, as care standards and criteria may vary between states. Another crucial

consideration is the quality of care provided, as the presence of hackers increases the risk of

unauthorized access to medical records. Telemedicine also presents drawbacks, including an

elevated potential for patient abuse and fraud. Telehealth's biggest limitation is the inability to

undertake a complete physical examination remotely. It has several benefits, including

convenience and accessibility, but it cannot perform hands-on, tactile assessments for many

medical issues. Palpation, auscultation, and specialist diagnostic procedures generally need direct

patient-provider contact. For example, telehealth systems cannot assess skin lesions, listen to

lung sounds using a stethoscope, or execute complex surgical procedures. It requires a fast

internet connection and appropriate equipment to access telehealth services, which not everyone

possesses efficiently. Older individuals may experience difficulties adapting to new technologies

due to their unfamiliarity.

Healthcare Provider's vs. Patient's Telehealth Visit Perspectives

Patients value a trusted relationship with their healthcare providers. Complex medical

terminology sometimes confuses patients, making rapport essential for effective communication.
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Thus, caregivers must communicate with patients in a language they can understand, avoiding

jargon that may alienate or frighten them. Telemedicine could cause a patient to worry about

physicians' empathy and compassion. Virtual consultations may feel cold to patients without a

healthcare practitioner being present (Ladin et al., 2021). This emphasizes the need for telehealth

providers to show genuine care and empathy to make patients feel heard, understood, and

supported.

Healthcare providers emphasize building closer relationships, especially with rural

patients. They must learn the local community's social and cultural norms in these areas.

Practitioners can improve health outcomes by connecting with patients, building trust, and

providing culturally sensitive treatment by recognizing and valuing their particular situations.

Telehealth services face the challenge of language barriers. Healthcare providers must cross

language challenges to communicate with patients. Telehealth systems succeed when providers

can quickly serve more patients. Patients' satisfaction and health outcomes depend on ease of use

and accessibility.

Conclusion

In conclusion, telehealth revolutionized healthcare, using digital technology to provide

distant medical treatments. It eliminates geographical boundaries and lowers infection risk for

underprivileged populations. It also empowers patients to manage their health and supports

patient-centered care. However, it has its drawbacks. Remote physical exams are impossible, and

a stable internet connection is needed. Language barriers and data security risks complicate

Telehealth. To serve more patients efficiently, providers must overcome language barriers,

understand regional social and cultural factors, and simplify telehealth.

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References

Barbosa, W., Zhou, K., Waddell, E., Myers, T., & Dorsey, E. R. (2021). Improving access to

care: telemedicine across medical domains. Annual Review of Public Health, 42(1), 463–

481. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-090519-093711

De Groot, J., Wu, D., Flynn, D., Robertson, D., Grant, G., & Sun, J. (2021). Efficacy of

telemedicine on glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis.

World Journal of Diabetes, 12(2), 170–197. https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v12.i2.170

Gajarawala, S., & Pelkowski, J. (2021). Telehealth benefits and barriers. The Journal for Nurse

Practitioners, 17(2), 218–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013

Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Singh, R. P., & Suman, R. (2021). Telemedicine for healthcare:

Capabilities, features, barriers, and applications. Sensors International, 2(2), 100117.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100117

Ladin, K., Porteny, T., Perugini, J. M., Gonzales, K. M., Aufort, K. E., Levine, S. K., Wong, J.

B., Isakova, T., Rifkin, D., Gordon, E. J., Rossi, A., Koch-Weser, S., & Weiner, D. E.

(2021). Perceptions of telehealth vs. in-person visits among older adults with advanced

kidney disease, care partners, and clinicians. JAMA Network Open, 4(12), e2137193.

https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.37193