Disadvantages of telemedicine and How Jaroka Project is overcoming them
Some of Disadvantages of telemedicine or challenges involved are breakdown in the relationship between health professional and patient; a breakdown in the relationship between health professionals; issues concerning the quality of health information and responsibilities and accountabilities on the providers behalf; and organizational and bureaucratic difficulties. Use of expensive equipment, making project is sustainable.
But the question is then why to employ it , if we are even not sure about the quality of information imparted by the practitioners. Answer is simple solution even simpler.
Telemedicine is good but as long as it is used properly, that is to say, proper specialists and doctors provide medical advise , secondly that we keep a check , on the performance of the specialists as well, considering no. of cases correctly and incorrectly solved.
Keeping this in mind , Jaroka is utilizing the services of reliable and experienced specialists of APPNA, Association of Pakistani descent Physicians in North America. We are providing quality primary care at minimal charges Rs. 30 (approx. 38 cents), which is enhanced with the use of telemedicine to provide second opinion to patients from experts for free. Also that although using expensive equipments will enhance the service , but often it becomes a barrier when it comes to installing a project on ground, as the cost of equipment is non-recoverable. To over come this we have a doctor at Mardan who can effectively provide primary care, so no video conferencing is required and if a case beyond his expertise shows up , he can always consult a specialist with relevant documents supported with a video uploaded.
We have to consider two important aspects while designing the fee/charge strategy for the patient visits and lab tests. First abd foremost , it has to be accessible i.e. not only physically but also financially for the local public , secondly to keep the project sustaining. Therefore, we charge a nominal fee from public to meet both of the above requirements.
Moreover, remote locations donot have proper facilities and clinics , making telemedicine an ideal choice.
Weighing pros and cons of telemedicine , concludes that its benefits out weighs its disadvantages.
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source : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15829049
But the question is then why to employ it , if we are even not sure about the quality of information imparted by the practitioners. Answer is simple solution even simpler.
Telemedicine is good but as long as it is used properly, that is to say, proper specialists and doctors provide medical advise , secondly that we keep a check , on the performance of the specialists as well, considering no. of cases correctly and incorrectly solved.
Keeping this in mind , Jaroka is utilizing the services of reliable and experienced specialists of APPNA, Association of Pakistani descent Physicians in North America. We are providing quality primary care at minimal charges Rs. 30 (approx. 38 cents), which is enhanced with the use of telemedicine to provide second opinion to patients from experts for free. Also that although using expensive equipments will enhance the service , but often it becomes a barrier when it comes to installing a project on ground, as the cost of equipment is non-recoverable. To over come this we have a doctor at Mardan who can effectively provide primary care, so no video conferencing is required and if a case beyond his expertise shows up , he can always consult a specialist with relevant documents supported with a video uploaded.
We have to consider two important aspects while designing the fee/charge strategy for the patient visits and lab tests. First abd foremost , it has to be accessible i.e. not only physically but also financially for the local public , secondly to keep the project sustaining. Therefore, we charge a nominal fee from public to meet both of the above requirements.
Moreover, remote locations donot have proper facilities and clinics , making telemedicine an ideal choice.
Weighing pros and cons of telemedicine , concludes that its benefits out weighs its disadvantages.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
source : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15829049
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