I have asked about doing telemedicine for some of my patients.  Insurance is a problem.  I sure would love to do it though. 

some things will still need a face to f, er, um, be seen in person. 

Doctors routinely conduct their 'rounds' by remote control these days.

They log on to the patient's chart in the hospital, review the notes, vitals, and meds.  If anything needs to be changed, they simply notify the on-duty nurse or PA.  The savings in doctor commute times alone make this worthwhile, especially if he/she has patients in several area hospitals.

Under HCR, all medical facilities will be on compatible systems.  Doctors offices, hospitals, labs, and pharmacies will be able to 'talk to one another' in real time for the benefit of the patient.  No more repeating tests or procedures simply because the results of the previous tests are not accessible.  Your MRI or CAT scan will been seen by your doctor, even if he is on the wrong coast.

So why not see the doctor online?  I see this as especially helpful for rural areas.  I envision a nurse and /or PA traveling to a small remote town in a motor home-sized lab, setting up a satellite link to the physician in the big city, conducting routine procedures and then having the physician order whatever he wants for the patient.   All the data is stored and accessible at any time.  Not exactly house calls, but close enough, eh?

May 25, 2012 -- 7:24PM, TENAC wrote:

May 25, 2012 -- 5:12PM, Druac wrote:

We should definitely be using our technologies to their maximum potential. This is one of those things that used correctly could very well help bring down costs. As noted already, not all things would necessarily work remotely, but many things could.

For those in rural areas or with no internet, a small office could be setup for that community so they could visit it for the online consultations…rather than having to travel far to see a specialist, etc.

May 25, 2012 -- 6:19PM, Unworthyone wrote:

Doctors routinely conduct their 'rounds' by remote control these days.

They log on to the patient's chart in the hospital, review the notes, vitals, and meds.  If anything needs to be changed, they simply notify the on-duty nurse or PA.  The savings in doctor commute times alone make this worthwhile, especially if he/she has patients in several area hospitals.

Under HCR, all medical facilities will be on compatible systems.  Doctors offices, hospitals, labs, and pharmacies will be able to 'talk to one another' in real time for the benefit of the patient.  No more repeating tests or procedures simply because the results of the previous tests are not accessible.  Your MRI or CAT scan will been seen by your doctor, even if he is on the wrong coast.

So why not see the doctor online?  I see this as especially helpful for rural areas.  I envision a nurse and /or PA traveling to a small remote town in a motor home-sized lab, setting up a satellite link to the physician in the big city, conducting routine procedures and then having the physician order whatever he wants for the patient.   All the data is stored and accessible at any time.  Not exactly house calls, but close enough, eh?

Hmmmm....

I have cardiac surgery, total hip or knee, and I am going to be satisfied with not seeing my doctor and have faith in his remote rounds?  

That would be one question I will ask before I have surgery.  He will lose my business.  Through word of mouth he will likely change his remote habit.

Now that wont be an option with obamacare.  You will be shielded as much as possible from developing a relationship with that doctor and accept whatever th govt gives you.

That's right! Just like subsidized public transportation put the Mercedes Benz dealers out of business.  If you like sitting face to face with  your doctor, schmoozing, or whatever, there will be someone willing to do that with you ... for a price.  If you think you are getting that now for free, you are delusional.  One way to lower the cost of health care is to make it possible for the providers to be more efficient.  Technology makes that possible.

Did it piss you off when doctors stopped making routine house calls and accepting payment of chickens and veggies?