Small towns and rural locations throughout the country often do not have basic medical services located in them. People who live there have no choice but to drive miles away from home for even a checkup or a medication refill. For individuals who are elderly, disabled, or financially strapped, sometimes this means they have to go without the services they desperately need. In these instances, new technology like telemedicine could provide the solution needed to keep rural residents healthy.
This type of medical care is not something that itself is necessarily new. It actually is at least 20 years old and originated when nurses, doctors, and other healthcare providers used to drive RVs or vans that served as medical clinics on wheels. People in the town or county could come to the vehicles to receive basic services that ranged from blood pressure checks to vaccines. If a consultation was necessary, the provider had to make a phone call to a specialist or facility miles away.
Today, however, these vehicles now have wireless technology that allows providers to Skype or meet virtually with other doctors, nurses, and specialists in faraway cities. They no longer have to make phone calls and tell the patients to wait for an answer. With the touch of a button on a computer, smartphone, or tablet, they can initiate and set up a meeting in a matter of seconds.
During the meeting, the provider on the other end can review the patient's records, speak to the mobile unit provider, and also consult with the patient directly. This gives the person in need of care the opportunity to ask questions, have concerns about his or her health addressed, and set up appointment times for continued care. Patients no longer have to make long distant phone calls or drive miles away for this purpose.
This technology also addresses the needs of at-risk demographics including senior citizens. With limited mobility, these individuals sometimes find themselves lacking the healthcare they need to simply stay alive. Rather than move out of their rural community, they can stay there and get the services needed.
With this type of outreach, they instead can drive to town and see a doctor or nurse right away. They might receive care for illnesses and injuries like pneumonia, broken bones, and cuts. If they require certain medications, they also could get prescriptions and refills from the outreach program.
To pay for the services, many rural communities and hospitals are getting grants from a variety of sources. These include bigger hospitals wanting to branch out their reach to rural residents. It also includes the federal and state government sources.
Technology now allows hospitals and specialty facilities to broaden their reach into rural areas of the country. They are able to meet with and serve people who could be at risk of suffering illnesses and injuries. The recipients likewise also avoid having to drive dozens of miles away from home just to get treated for a wide variety of health conditions. People no longer have to decide whether they can afford to make such a trip or if it is better for them to stay home.
This type of medical care is not something that itself is necessarily new. It actually is at least 20 years old and originated when nurses, doctors, and other healthcare providers used to drive RVs or vans that served as medical clinics on wheels. People in the town or county could come to the vehicles to receive basic services that ranged from blood pressure checks to vaccines. If a consultation was necessary, the provider had to make a phone call to a specialist or facility miles away.
Today, however, these vehicles now have wireless technology that allows providers to Skype or meet virtually with other doctors, nurses, and specialists in faraway cities. They no longer have to make phone calls and tell the patients to wait for an answer. With the touch of a button on a computer, smartphone, or tablet, they can initiate and set up a meeting in a matter of seconds.
During the meeting, the provider on the other end can review the patient's records, speak to the mobile unit provider, and also consult with the patient directly. This gives the person in need of care the opportunity to ask questions, have concerns about his or her health addressed, and set up appointment times for continued care. Patients no longer have to make long distant phone calls or drive miles away for this purpose.
This technology also addresses the needs of at-risk demographics including senior citizens. With limited mobility, these individuals sometimes find themselves lacking the healthcare they need to simply stay alive. Rather than move out of their rural community, they can stay there and get the services needed.
With this type of outreach, they instead can drive to town and see a doctor or nurse right away. They might receive care for illnesses and injuries like pneumonia, broken bones, and cuts. If they require certain medications, they also could get prescriptions and refills from the outreach program.
To pay for the services, many rural communities and hospitals are getting grants from a variety of sources. These include bigger hospitals wanting to branch out their reach to rural residents. It also includes the federal and state government sources.
Technology now allows hospitals and specialty facilities to broaden their reach into rural areas of the country. They are able to meet with and serve people who could be at risk of suffering illnesses and injuries. The recipients likewise also avoid having to drive dozens of miles away from home just to get treated for a wide variety of health conditions. People no longer have to decide whether they can afford to make such a trip or if it is better for them to stay home.
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