One of the most revolutionary healthcare solutions that came to light amidst the pandemic in 2020 was telehealth. While the pandemic dramatically altered people’s lifestyle and limited people’s mobility, the need for healthcare never stopped. Health also became the topmost concern of everyone for the last 2-3 years of the pandemic.
Telehealth or telemedicine is a healthcare solution that leverages technology to conduct health and medical-related activities at a distance. It is used by healthcare professionals to conduct medical assessments, diagnosis, and treat patients without the need for in-patient visits. By using communications technology to perform medical activities, telemedicine plays a role in making healthcare more accessible and convenient for both physicians and patients. No wonder it is gradually becoming an essential aspect of the American healthcare infrastructure to date.
Telemedicine utilizes the availability of two-way high-definition video technology to conduct face-to-face meetings between patients and doctors as if they’re both located in just one room, enabling several health check-up processes to become possible and very convenient even from a remote location.
Some of the processes that commonly occur in telehealth consultations are:
- Submission of medical health records including, but not limited to allergies, IDs, list of medications, and medical history, prior to face-to-face consultations
- Chatting with your doctor
- Sharing photos or videos to describe symptoms
- Generating electronic medical prescriptions
- Payment of online fees
The streamlined process of telehealth consultations contributes to a more systematic way of handling healthcare-related tasks. Telemedicine massively benefits patients living in far-flung remote areas, as there wouldn’t be a need to drive long-distance or commute just to get access to a doctor anymore. As long as one’s concern isn’t considered an emergency that necessitates in-person consultation, telemedicine fills in many gaps and bottlenecks that are commonly experienced in clinics and healthcare facilities.
What to Expect from A Telemedicine Appointment
Telemedicine isn’t exactly new. The first recorded use of telemedicine dates back to the 1950s when university medical centers had tried to explore other ways to share information through the phone. The earliest usage of telemedicine involved doctors finding ways to connect with specialists from other regions.
Nowadays, telemedicine has optimized health care processes by making patient-doctor visits possible even from a distance/ from various remote locations. It is a revolutionary means of addressing areas of bottlenecks in healthcare, which previously prevented several people from accessing and utilizing healthcare for their benefit. But while telemedicine has also been here for a while, it is new for many patients. It is only very recently that telemedicine has seen immense growth and expanded its reach. Most patients who use telemedicine are experiencing it for the very first time.
To schedule a telehealth visit, you may start by asking your primary doctor if they offer telemedicine services. If they do, you can further inquire how they conduct it (e.g. video calls or chat). Nowadays, most doctors offer both virtual consultations and in-person visits, but it still mostly depends on the nature of their specialization and the patient’s concerns.
These guidelines can help you to prepare for a telemedicine visit:
- First of all, find a comfortable and conducive location to conduct your telemedicine consultation. If you’ve booked an appointment using video call or chat, prepare your space to make sure it has lighting and where your doctor can see you clearly, in case they need to check some areas related to your concern.
- Prepare a list of medications you’re using, list down or describe your symptoms, and try writing some of your questions for your doctor to not miss out on anything.
- Do make sure that your devices and network are working smoothly before the scheduled appointment.
- Refrain from eating or drinking during your telemedicine appointment.
- Show up at least a few minutes early for your telemedicine appointment or be on time during your telehealth visit.
- Have backup plans in case your connection doesn’t go smoothly. In some cases, you may need to continue your consultation through a phone call.
Telemedicine consultations are intended to be easy, convenient, and accessible for patients. Most of the time, you will also be notified beforehand on the list of things to prepare and have on hand before your telemedicine visit.
Most Common Telehealth Visits for Men
Men and women differ in their approach towards health consultations. Unlike women, most men are reluctant to see their doctors unless they have no choice. But avoiding these routine check-ups and health screenings comes with serious consequences. It is generally out of men’s comfort zone to be discussing health-related matters with their doctor and to consult for help.
If men ever find the courage to open up about their health concerns or what’s bothering them, it would most likely be their spouse/partner who is the first to know and not their doctor. A lot of men’s health concerns remain undetected, partly due to this mindset. However, these issues all seem to be a thing of the past now that telemedicine conveniently addresses many of men’s concerns keeping them from seeking their doctor’s help.
The most common health issues that men can now seek consultations for through telemedicine include:
- Mental Health
Mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems are matters that can be fixed with the help of telehealth consultations. Speaking with a psychiatrist or therapist about mental illness has never been more convenient.
- Diabetes
Type-2 diabetes is very common in adult men. Consulting with a doctor regarding the treatment and long-term management of this chronic health concern is a must.
- Cardiovascular Health Problems
Heart disease and high blood pressure are a few major health concerns for aging men. Telemedicine provides convenient and accessible health assistance for those needing fast but not emergency attention from a doctor.
- Male Potency / Erectile Dysfunction
The inability to get and maintain erection troubles many men and it’s particularly a sensitive health issue most are not willing to see their doctor for. Fortunately, telehealth can fill in the gap with this issue that affects men in several ways.
- Premature Ejaculation
Premature ejaculation poses a serious health worry that men can now conveniently and discreetly address with their doctor through telemedicine consultations.
- Hair Loss Treatment
Another common men’s health problem is hair loss which is a genetic problem most of the time. Genetic hair loss/male pattern baldness requires the intervention of your doctor at the soonest time possible to prevent hair loss from becoming irreversible.
Key Takeaways
Telemedicine has grown rapidly in recent years due to the global pandemic. Today, it is already an essential part of the American health infrastructure with many hospitals, clinics, doctors, and patients relying heavily on telemedicine for convenient health diagnoses and treatment.
With telemedicine now becoming an essential healthcare solution, its far-reaching benefits are not only felt by hospitals, clinics, and doctors but especially by patients who need access to them. Men are seen to benefit most from telehealth consultations as it addresses their common issues with consulting a doctor in many ways.
Thrones Health, a US-based telemedicine company, is making healthcare more inclusive, accessible, and cost-efficient by offering personalized health assessments and discreet treatments for men’s most sensitive health-related concerns. Men, it is time to look after your health, in the most convenient, reliable, and safe manner.
Get in touch with us and book a consultation today.
