Telehealth and eLearning: How it can add Real Value for Medical Education Training

Healthcare costs can skyrocket when patients experience a recurrence of medical conditions that require additional hospital admissions. This is because recurrent admissions often require additional diagnostic testing, medications, and interventions, which can lead to increased healthcare expenditures.

For instance, patients with chronic conditions like heart failure, diabetes, and asthma may require frequent hospitalizations due to exacerbations or complications of their disease. These patients may require repeated diagnostic tests, such as blood tests and imaging studies, as well as expensive medications and procedures to manage their symptoms.

However, with advancements in technology, these patients can be provided safe care through remote patient monitoring, telehealth, and eLearning platforms in observing, consulting with physicians, and learning self-care in managing their health. 

Without leveraging telehealth technology solutions, there is an addition to the direct costs of healthcare services with recurrent admissions. It can also lead to indirect costs, such as lost productivity and missed workdays for the patient and their caregivers.

Preventing the recurrence of medical conditions can be crucial in reducing healthcare costs. This can be achieved through effective disease management strategies, such as regular follow-up appointments, medication adherence, and lifestyle modifications. Early identification and prompt treatment of complications can also help prevent recurrent hospital admissions and lower healthcare costs in the long run by observing the patient through remote monitoring and telehealth programs.

Without visiting the hospital, a patient is enabled to manage their health through telehealth consultations thereby helping them effectively reduce the risk of readmissions. Telehealth consultations provide patients with access to top-tier healthcare specialists  without the need for frequent hospital visits, thereby reducing the risk of complications and readmissions.

Telehealth And eLearning Uplifting Healthcare Issues

Telehealth is a rapidly growing field of healthcare that allows medical professionals to provide patient care remotely using telecommunication technologies. It encompasses a wide range of services, including teleconsultations, remote monitoring, and telemedicine.

Teleconsultations involve remote communication between a healthcare provider and a patient, using video conferencing tools or other communication technologies. Teleconsultations can be especially useful for patients who live in remote areas or have mobility issues, as it eliminates the need for patients to travel long distances to see a doctor. Patients can now easily schedule teleconsultations with their healthcare providers through GP service online platforms, allowing for efficient and accessible healthcare delivery from the comfort of one's home

Remote monitoring involves the use of medical devices to collect patient data, such as blood pressure, glucose levels, and heart rate. The data is transmitted to healthcare providers, who can then use it to track patient progress and adjust treatment plans as necessary. Remote monitoring can help patients with chronic conditions manage their conditions more effectively, reducing the need for hospitalizations and emergency care.

A System Embraced In Pandemic

Telehealth has become increasingly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, as healthcare providers have sought to minimize in-person contact to reduce the spread of the virus. It has allowed patients to receive care remotely, reducing the risk of exposure to the virus.

It has also allowed healthcare providers to continue delivering care to patients while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telehealth technologies, as healthcare providers sought to minimize exposure to the virus for both patients and healthcare workers. Telehealth has allowed healthcare providers to continue delivering care to their patients while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Patients can receive medical consultations, diagnoses, and prescriptions remotely, and healthcare providers can monitor patient health and provide ongoing support.

Remote Patient Monitoring Aids Telehealth Implementation

Consistent monitoring of convalescing patients is crucial in reducing the risk of recurrence episodes and managing the correct course of patient care. For patients who have been discharged after showing some stable improvements, remote patient monitoring and telehealth platforms can be an effective way to monitor their health status and ensure they receive timely interventions if necessary.

Remote patient monitoring involves the use of medical devices and technology to collect and transmit patient data to healthcare providers. This can include devices that monitor blood pressure, glucose levels, and heart rate. Patients can use these devices to measure their vital signs at home, and the data is transmitted to healthcare providers who can monitor the patient's health and adjust their treatment plan as necessary.

Telehealth platforms enable patients to communicate with healthcare providers through video conferencing tools or other communication technologies. This can include remote consultations with physicians, follow-up appointments, and virtual care management. Patients can receive guidance on managing their condition and receive ongoing support, even when they are not able to visit a healthcare facility in person.

Instances of Effective Use of Telehealth

For example, a patient with diabetes who has been discharged after showing some stable improvements can benefit from remote patient monitoring and telehealth platforms. The patient can use a glucose monitoring device to measure their blood sugar levels at home, and the data is transmitted to their healthcare provider. The healthcare provider can review the data and adjust the patient's treatment plan as necessary, providing ongoing guidance and support through telehealth platforms.

A patient with heart failure who has been discharged after showing some stable improvements is still at-risk. They may be released when they show some improvement as convalescing and recovery in a home setting is easier on the pocket and also less stressful for family members and patients who are near their support system. The patient can use a remote monitoring device to measure their weight and blood pressure at home, and the data is transmitted to their healthcare provider. The healthcare provider can monitor the patient's health status and adjust their treatment plan as necessary, providing ongoing support through telehealth platforms.

Conclusion:

Remote patient monitoring and telehealth platforms can be effective ways to monitor the health status of convalescing patients and ensure they receive timely interventions if necessary.

This can help reduce the risk of recurrence episodes and enable patients to receive ongoing care management, even when they are not able to visit a healthcare facility in person. It translates to savings that go a long way in reducing healthcare costs in a world where inflation is already threatening most governments from disallowing basic healthcare at affordable prices. Despite the technology, only continuous patient education can sometimes be effective in making them understand the benefits of disease management in alleviating their pain through lifestyle modifications and medication adherence.