Telemedicine that delivery of care through technological tools is one of the most important healthcare tools during these times of COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic hit globally and it seemed that COVID-19 was here for a long stay, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation urged physicians and other healthcare providers to use telemedicine as a vital means to take care of patients all over the world. Aiding to this measure, both government and other healthcare institutions such as insurance companies implemented numerous regulations and changes for the smooth workflow through telemedicine. Almost all physicians in the world adopted the new way of medicine and care, but after months of using physicians are rejecting telemedicine, as they have gained a clear perspective on why the age-old practice of examining patients in person is superior to all other practices.
Initially, physicians accepted telemedicine as their primary way of communicating and operating but slowly it has declined. It is not easy to incorporate Telemedicine. To do so well, a doctor’s practise must purchase the necessary equipment and train staff and patients to use it. It takes time to help an inexperienced 80-year-old do a video-visit with technology. They need to implement new workflows. For example , if a patient wants a lab test, where do you take them? They need to change the clinical schedules. Should update reporting protocols. This seems a lot of work to do in just a few days of time.
Also human touch – that is personally looking at the medical problem through one’s own eyes is more reassuring than staring at the small screen, trying to contemplate the problem. For an example of a patient whose heart is not functioning well and that induces fluid build-up in their body. For that particular case , making the diagnosis over the video or a mobile would have been challenging; it takes the case to move, be able to listen to their heart, lungs, look at their blood pressure and look at the veins in their neck to make the diagnosis. So in such cases, telemedicine may not seem like the right option.
Physicians did what they could and turned to telemedicine visits as their only choice following a lockout and stay-at – home orders. Many resorted to phone calls because of technological issues with video visits. But when we step into a new normal and societies are reopening, making in-person visits a choice, many doctors conclude that the investment in telemedicine is not worth it so physicians are rejecting telemedicine after its rigorous use in pandemic.
