There is no doubt that video conferencing is one of the highly useful products of communication technology since it was used in operation. Benefits apply not only to the patient, but to the doctors and healthcare system as well. In fact, it is one of the keys of better communication in the healthcare organization. In addition to that, consultation, diagnosis of diseases, and the transmission of patient data had become faster and easier.
Imagine the healthcare system without video conference. People from rural areas will have to travel for hours to attend regular clinic visits. Doctors will have to leave the country for continuing education. Patients who need immediate medical attention have to wait for the consultant to arrive before major interventions can be done.
Video conferencing tools are very effective in the development of the healthcare industry. Its use had become widespread globally due to its success in addressing healthcare challenges. To prove that, here is how online video conferencing software improves healthcare.
Access to Care
With the help of video conferencing software, the inaccessible becomes reachable. Hard-to-reach patients who are living in rural areas can now use this technology to communicate with their attending physicians. Its ability of minimizing location barriers and extending medical care to remote areas is very vital in the provision of high quality healthcare to the people. Video conferencing software for personal computers does not only save money and time, it can also save a life of a homebound client.
In addition to that, the rapidly growing industry of in-home care business can benefit from the top online video conferencing software and home healthcare software. Through video conferencing, referral of home care patients’ concern from one doctor to another is feasible and discussion of findings can be done even if consultants are working in different hospitals. The provision of access to healthcare can help millions of people all over the world. The ease of access promotes awareness which connects the people to the healthcare system.
Health Education
Because of online video conferencing software, the healthcare sector have changed for the better including hospitals, research institutions and medical clinics. One advantage of video conferencing to healthcare providers is the possibility of continuing education without distance boundaries. In order to learn the latest information about health, doctors need to study continuously. Doing so does not only protect the patient but the professionals as well, making sure that their knowledge and skills are not obsolete.
Management of diseases has changed over time because of medical research updates. Without video conferencing software, doctors need to study abroad to be equipped with the latest information about a particular field of specialization. When that happens, patients will be endorsed to another doctor which, in some cases, may not have the same technique of managing the disease. This will later result to confusion and decreased patient satisfaction.
According to a research conducted by Pankaj Lamba in 2011 entitled Teleconferencing in Medical Education: A Useful Tool, Continuing Medical Education (CME) is the most common use of video conferencing software in medical education. Aside from the delivery of high quality educational programs all over the world, it is cost-effective. Video conferencing sessions among students of various nations promote collaboration and sharing of new information. In fact, even rural physicians can access CME.
Moreover, video conference allows doctors, nurses and other healthcare team members to educate the patient. For instance, patients who are living in remote areas can watch videos about the procedure that they are about to undergo before going to the hospital. They could also ask questions from the healthcare providers through the video conference. This eases patient’s anxiety and promotes effective patient-healthcare provider relationship.
Communication
There is ever-increasing number of researches in the healthcare industry which are looking for ways to increase quality of care and improve patient satisfaction. In the past, phone calls are widely used by physicians to convey a message to a patient or an order to other members of the healthcare team. However, the benefits are limited compared with videoconferencing. Furthermore, telephone orders are prone to errors which could put the patient’s life at risk.
Through the use of multi-user video conference, doctors of various specializations can discuss patient cases and possible management. Meetings are held in a clinic which sometimes include the family of the patient. In such a way, the decision of the type of treatment to be rendered is not just from one discipline. Furthermore, a video conference during a medical procedure is done in some instances for faster diagnosis and treatment. For instance, a stroke patient has a higher chance of survival if he/she received the treatment immediately after a keen assessment. In emergency cases, doctors need not a desktop or laptop to be able to manage the patient because video conferencing software on android phones are now existing.
Quality of Care
The delivery of high quality of care to clients is one of the goals of the healthcare industry. Patient safety is a priority. Diagnostic images can be shown through videoconference for second opinion before any treatment is started. In some instances wherein urgent delivery of treatment is needed, doctors can communicate to other healthcare team members by the use of free video conference software on his/her laptop. In conjunction with the use of medical software, online video conference software helps healthcare providers do a better job and patient’s satisfaction is increased.
To improve the patient’s quality of care, progress in the following must be present:
- Accessibility of the hospital
- Availability of health care providers
- Reduction of Waiting Time
- Information Dissemination
- Communication
- Competent healthcare team members
The issues stated above can be improved by top online video conferencing software which means that high quality of care is achievable with the utilization of video conferencing. If the patients are satisfied because they received excellent quality of care, the healthcare system will also improve.
Convenience
It is very hard for a sick patient to wait for his/her turn while the doctor examines other patients who arrived earlier in the clinic. This is very inconvenient especially to the weak and weary elderly patients. Aside from that, it is time consuming.
Online video conference software minimizes waiting time. Patients can set a schedule to their doctors which is convenient for both. Other necessary things can be done at home or at work while waiting for consultation online. Productivity is increased compared to clinic visits.
Cancer patients who are participating in online support groups can narrate their experiences at the comfort of their home. Through video conferences, there is no need to go into a Cancer Institute for support group sessions. This is safer and more cost-effective for the cancer patient.
Absence of Stigma
A number of patients do not want to consult the doctor because of stigma. For example, HIV patients are afraid of seeking medical opinion because they are ashamed about its effect to their reputation. Because of that, most of them only consult when the disease had already progressed.
Those patients who are suffering from depression can talk to a mental health provider about their condition. Even patients who are in jail can receive appropriate medical treatment through the use of video conferencing software. Privacy and confidentiality are maintained and patients need not worry about their status.
Saves Money
The use of video conferencing software lessens unnecessary expenses and travel time for the patients especially those who are living in far flung areas. Scheduled regular clinic visits and follow-up check-ups can be reduced and patients can still be managed while at home.
According to the report of Carbon Disclosure Project, videoconferencing reduces carbon footprints and saves money. This means huge savings for the healthcare industry. In addition to that, doctors can talk to the patient face-to-face and give orders to those who are administering care even miles away. This reduces travel costs. The budget that is saved can be utilized to other vital things needed by the healthcare organization.
Online video conferencing software reviews are very beneficial in determining which among the software services are best for the healthcare organization. The price range and features of the video conference software are vital considerations. The amount of investment that will be used to purchase video conference software can be outweighed by the overall cost savings.
In a nutshell, online video conferencing software has transformed healthcare as a whole. Improvement on the patient’s quality of care, communication and collaboration, continuing education, reduced expenses and accessibility are some of the priceless benefits of online video conference software. Moreover, the increasing number of patients who are seeking medical assistance needs to be addressed. Video conferencing is a very useful tool of dealing with healthcare issues all over the world.
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Jeev Trika
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