Thursday 14 July 2016

Telemedicine – the virtual way to health

Telemedicine – the virtual way to health

                               By Dr. Rishi Vyas, MD (Hom)                                      Consulting Homoeopath at the other song clinic

I happened to receive an inquiry few days ago at the other song clinic. A 66 years old male from Muscat had been suffering from lung cancer which had now spread to the other parts of his body. This patient has been receiving chemotherapy and has been advised rest. He cannot travel anywhere. He wished to start homoeopathic medicines. He was encouraged to give the case online and was thus taken up for an online homoeopathic consultation. There was another case of a retired military general from Ludhiana who could not travel out of Ludhiana due to age related difficulties. He had severe prostate related problems. This case too was taken up for online consultation at the other song. It has been two years now that the patient has been taking regular homoeopathic medicines and has improved significantly. With many such experiences, I wish to share an earnest bit of information on telemedicine and its utility in homoeopathy. 

Technology has come a long way since the advent of computers and the internet

We have stepped in times of advanced information technology. The use of technology seems to be boundless. There was a time when we had to wait for days to send and receive a letter with few words. Today, the same task can be accomplished in matter of seconds. Technology has seen multiple applications from automation to artificial intelligence. One such application of technology is video conferencing. Video conferencing or video telephony was first introduced in the late 1930’s in Germany in post offices. It has evolved and advanced to be made use of in a variety of fields, medicine being one of them.   

The advent and growth of Telemedicine 

The use of telemedicine dates as far back as the 1980’s, it is now that it is used frequently and with a lot of ease to treat patients, assist other doctors and train them. Major government and private institutions in India and abroad use telemedicine. As video chatting is only a finger’s click away now-a-days, the world has become a small place in the virtual sense. The experts can now provide consultation to remote villages and communities through primary healthcare centers. 

The application of telemedicine in Homoeopathy

What does a homoeopath need to treat a patient? An accurate history and observations. All of this can be accessed with ease on a video call. It is nothing short of a herculean task and often impossible for an individual in a far off place, not able to travel or perhaps suffering from a debilitating illness and not able to physically visit a doctor. An online case consultation is a boon for such a patient. It can be done in real time. It is a time saving and an economic option for patients staying abroad. One doesn’t have to travels thousands of kilometers to receive homoeopathic treatment.   

Frequently asked questions related to online homoeopathic consultation

Q - Are there any prerequisites for an online consultation?
A – A good internet connection is required as a lot about the patient can be known through observation. Also, at the other song, we provide a case record form which asks you about your details prior to the consultation. The patient must mail the investigations for the doctor to have a comprehensive understanding of the case at hand. 

Q – How does one get physically examined?
A – One may have a parallel assessment and examination from a doctor present in your immediate vicinity. 

Q – What should be done in case of an emergency?
A – Keep your homoeopathic doctor informed but also see your local physician. Need be, use the emergency medical services.

Q – How does the patient receive medicines?
A – The patient need to follow up at least 2-3 days before the medicine stock is over. The medicines are then couriered to the patient’s home. In case of emergencies, we give the name and potency of the medicines and ask for a close follow up. 

Dr. Rishi Vyas

Dr. Rishi Vyas has been assisting Dr Rajan Sankaran in the charitable O.P.D. at Mumbadevi Homoeopathic Hospital, Mumbai since 2004, and also has his private practice since 2005. He is a member of Wednesdays with Rajan team, an online course for students and practitioners of Homoeopathy. He presented cases on Acutes and Fever at Beacon Foundation, Mumbai. He also had an opportunity to share his experience on case taking at Gulabrao H.M.C, Miraj and at Pachchigar Homoeopathic Medical College, Surat.

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