The global coronavirus pandemic has dramatically changed the world of medicine and care. Healthcare professionals have had to be reactive and creative in order to provide patients with optimal support and care during the health crisis. In this context, the telemedicine sector has experienced a meteoric growth. Indeed, remote care has emerged as a miracle solution.
Telemedicine, the new consultation weapon
The COVID-19 has had many negative consequences since its appearance. The economic, tourism and commercial sectors – to name but a few – have been heavily impacted. However, this has not been the case for the telemedicine and teleconsultation sector, which has been thrust to the forefront of the healthcare scene. Indeed, providers of these services have seen their business grow exponentially in 2020 and the model appears to be sustainable after 18 months of the pandemic according to a recent RTS article.
As a result of the measures taken to contain the virus, healthcare professionals have had to adapt and offer new services to continue their activities and provide quality care to patients. Telemedicine has therefore emerged as a tool with multiple advantages.
A booster for medical digitization
The pandemic has been a real gas pedal in the digitalization of medicine. Until then, these applications were anecdotal and have now become an integral part of the patient’s experience. These include online appointment booking, remote consultations, and the networking of healthcare professionals. In general, telemedicine has experienced unprecedented success and is experiencing a constant increase in demand from patients, doctors, specialists and hospitals.
On the other hand, providers of these new consultation systems observe a certain skepticism among some patients and physicians. This is due to a lack of knowledge and distrust of these new technologies, mainly because of the question of their effectiveness. Certain obstacles are also present on the regulatory side. Indeed, there is no national law on telemedicine. Regulation is the responsibility of the cantons. The challenges raised include data management and protection, supervision of the practice and informed consent of the patient.
Complementarity at the service of the patient
Telemedicine is in no way a substitute for or a competitor of traditional medicine. Rather, it is a complementary tool for triage. This initial calibration of patients is intended to optimize face-to-face consultations, with dual benefits for both the patient and the healthcare professional. This tool also allows to keep the link with the vulnerable population, in particular disabled or elderly patients unable to move.
More connected medicine and more accessible physicians
The health sector is changing. Today’s patients are more and more informed and want to be treated quickly, close to home, without having to worry about making an appointment beforehand. Telemedicine is only a tool, but it marks a revolution towards the medicine of tomorrow!
