The rapid inclusion of devices and technologies into diverse areas of human activities allows for meeting not only the needs of informational distribution and entertainment but also for resolving hazardous issues. Indeed, such an achievement in technologies as telemedicine is an excellent contribution to the health quality and well-being of many patients, especially those residing in rural areas. The statistics state that there exists a significant shortage of physicians and nurse practitioners available for the rural inhabitants in the USA (TEDx Talks, 2017). This fact threatens the lives and health conditions of those people because they are deprived of the opportunity to access medical services on time. This issue is even more serious when viewed from the perspective of the needs the patients in the women’s health department have. Since this is my practice area, I think telehealth as the application of technologies to provide patients’ contact with a specialist remotely is crucial for females. Women’s health issues primarily relate to gender-specific requirements, reproductive functions, pre-and post-natal conditions, and other medical questions.
Therefore, under the circumstance of being located far from the nearest hospital, telemedicine could be used in the form of personal online profiles where a patient can reach a specialist and receive proper consultations. To obtain buy-in, one should consult governmental regulations and choose from a majority of services available in the industry today. To exemplify a successfully functioning practice, Avera eCare could be named (TEDx Talks, 2017). In the future, it is possible to incorporate the achievements of the existing providers of telemedicine into new and highly efficient programs for rural residents. Such an approach not only benefits the patients but also is a cost-effective method of work for providers because it allows for servicing more patients without spending finances on relocation and building new facilities in remote areas. Therefore, telemedicine is a rational solution to the challenges of rural medicine that allow for providing timely help for the country’s population.
Reference
TEDx Talks. (2017). Telemedicine – The answer to rural medicine challenges | Linsey Meyers | TEDxUS [Video file]. Web.