Telemedicine

High priority

by Samantha Justino

There are many different types of organizations all over the world. Fraternities, sororities, and businesses are all considered organizations. However, hospitals are rarely referred to as organizations. Anyone that has entered a hospital knows that it is easy to lose communication with one of the nurses or doctors due to the volume of patients. Some people are left waiting for hours just to get questions answered, some are left in waiting areas all day, just to be seen once. Now there is a new technology that is being developed to alleviate these type of issues. This new communication technology is called a Telemedicine program.

As technical infrastructure begins to advance this program begins to surface as a possible way to give patients more efficient, clinical consultations. Telemedicine will be conducted through videoconferencing. "Video conferencing can provide healthcare organizations with innovative ways to deliver clinical consultations explore) The formation of this new communication technology has been geared toward certain locations such as prisons. This is where many healthcare organizations can make more money. Creating a videoconferencing technology in which inmates will be connected to a healthcare center, so to speak.

This communication technology does come with its advantages and disadvantages. Economically it would be favorable toward the healthcare organizations. This could also increase efficiency in how hospitals and clinics function. Just the other day I was trying to see my doctor at Montefiore medical center in the Bronx. Due to the high volume of patients that they tend to on a day to day basis, I was not even able to go in as an emergency walk-in; which should always be available to any patient in need. If Montefiore, for example had virtual clinical consultations, I perhaps wouldn't have waited 2 hours for a negative response from a phlebotomist. Perhaps with the virtual consultations, I could've gotten my answers from a nurse or doctor themselves, at their desk or looked up the FAQ's of clinical consultations. This telemedicine program could save time, and energy. You can explain thoroughly to a specialist of what your problems are rather than decide, alone whether it's worth going to see a professional for.

The disadvantages would be if the program reaches a great level of success. This would mean that less staff would be needed in health centers. The elimination of small communication nodes would begin because clinical consultations could be handled by nurses or doctors, or even just one node that could handle the virtual aspect of the center themselves. These virtual clinics could save people a lot of time and possible save lives; the lives that have anxiety about walking into the doctors office. However, this program could reach a certain level of success and then stop and a standstill. People without any form of computer technology in there homes will not be able to use virtual clinics. What is the use of creating another communication technology if it will not increase the patient volume and help the community? Those who do not have home offices might as well do what I did this past weekend; wait for a nurse to call.

I would give this communication technology, a 3 out of 5 on a 5 point scale. I believe it is an innovative idea that could possibly change how healthcare organizations function. However if it does not benefit more people after it has been implemented then it is not necessary to utilize it. It will eliminate jobs in the organizations and not function unless you are technologically able.