Telehealth



Telehealth

Introduction

Telehealth is the promotion of health related information services through information and communication technology. It can be as simple as two health professionals discussing a case over the telephone, or more sophisticated with the use of video networks and web conferencing and even the use of robotics. The health care depends on the exchange of information about the patient, hence the possibility of using tools to broaden the horizons of this routine, changing paradigm. Telehealth is the application of information and communication technologies in the service of health. Telehealth includes various techniques, projects, services and systems that work through distance, traditionally mainly via the telephone, but since the wider availability of broadband connections are increasingly using the Internet. Telehealth can reduce pressure and personnel costs. The related field of medical informatics focuses on the technology rather than on web applications (Hebda and Czar, 2012, 120-200).

Situation and Resolutions

The given situation involves a patient named Mr. R who is 65 years old and is under health care and hospitalization because of congestive heart failure. A home nurse named Erin is responsible for providing the patient with necessary health care. In this situation, this home nurse finds him in a situation to talk to the doctor named Dr. Bobby to ask him about the present condition of Mr. R. The only way to communicate effectively on this matter is teleconferencing as teleconferencing equipments are available at both the ends. So, it becomes easier for Erin to communicate with Dr. Bobby and report him about the patient's current situation (Wootton, 2009, 27-55).

In order to communicate effectively with Dr. Bobby, Erin has to make sure that some things are place in the correct order before beginning the teleconference. Before beginning the teleconference, Erin has to check the equipments carefully whether the equipments are placed and working correctly. In this case, a computer will serve as the best means of communicating so he should also send an electronic mail to the doctor before the time of the meeting. He will also have to check if the computer has a connected web camera with it and is it working fine to enable face to face communication with the doctor to make communication more effective. Erin also has to check the pace of the internet connection in order to make sure that the services could be provided efficiently to the patient and the doctor does not get frustrated with the slow speed of internet connection (Hebda and Czar, 2012, 160-175).

Erin would also have to send a pre meeting message to the doctor in order to know what time he will be free for the meeting and making him aware that he would be willing to conduct a teleconference with Dr. Bobby. Then after getting a response from the doctor, Erin could continue with his nursing assessment by checking Mr. R because this information will play a vital role in enabling the doctor to make a better decision about the present condition of the ...