In recent years, telemedicine has gained prominence as a medical care modality that offers practicality, convenience and access to quality health care, regardless of geographic location.
Physicians can deliver quality care with a focus on patient safety and achieving positive outcomes even from a distance. By effectively embracing telemedicine, we will be contributing to the advancement of medical practice and improved access to healthcare worldwide.
It is possible to have an online service as effective as face-to-face, using the right methods and approaches, thus allowing continuous assessment of response to treatment and assisting in diagnosis and adaptation of treatment planning as needed.
Let's now check 9 tips on how to improve the method and approach in online medical care, and thus improve the treatment as a whole.
1- Use a reliable platform
It is essential to choose a telemedicine platform that is reliable and secure, and that guarantees the privacy and protection of patient data. Check and see if the platform complies with the privacy and data security regulations established by the relevant authorities.
Choose a platform that meets data security standards, offers end-to-end encryption, customer support and comply with privacy regulations.
Also, check the stability and quality of the platform in terms of video and audio streaming to ensure a seamless query experience. A reliable platform provides a solid foundation for providing quality and secure online medical services, and also facilitates the sharing of medical files, if necessary.
2- Establish clear communication
Communication between doctor and patient is essential during an online medical consultation, as it is through it that the doctor can get an idea of the symptoms and understand the patient's condition. If any information is omitted by the patient or misinterpreted by the doctor, this can cause an error in diagnosis and treatment.
Ensure the connection is clear and empathetic with the patient, listen carefully to their concerns, ask relevant questions, and demonstrate a genuine interest in understanding the situation.
Thus, the patient feels safe talking about his symptoms and does not hide anything. Through clear communication, it is possible to transmit information effectively and build a relationship of trust with the patient.
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3- Ask for medical history
In an initial consultation, ask the patient to share his or her complete medical history, including information about pre-existing conditions, previous surgeries, current medications, known allergies, and previous test results. In future consultations, the doctor will already have this information on file and will only need to follow up the patient through new exams.
Having access to this information is critical to understanding the patient's clinical condition, making appropriate treatment decisions, and avoiding potential drug interactions or other complications.
Also, with online consultations, it has become easier for patients to share so much information with their doctors. Instead of taking several printed exams, just share the results via email or the query platform itself.
4- Take a visual exam
Although online medical care may have some limitations compared to the traditional physical examination, it is possible to perform detailed visual examinations to aid in diagnosis and patient monitoring.
During online medical care, take advantage of the visual tools available. You can ask him to show you the affected area such as skin, eyes, throat and other visible aspects during the online consultation.
Know how to instruct the patient, clearly speaking what needs to be done, and ask him to position the camera properly and provide detailed information about any relevant changes or symptoms. With refined clinical skills and a thorough approach, it is possible to obtain valuable information from visual examinations performed remotely.
This approach allows for a preliminary visual assessment and provides additional information that may aid in the diagnosis. However, it is important to emphasize that not all cases can be diagnosed based on visual examination alone, and it may be necessary to complement it with other methods, when appropriate.
5- Have a good conduct
Knowing how to conduct the consultation in the best way helps and accelerates the total improvement of the patient.
So, during online medical care, it is important to be prepared to refer the patient to other healthcare professionals or specialists if necessary. Be aware of the resources available in your area and provide the necessary information and guidance so that the patient can access appropriate care.
Plus, take advantage of electronic prescribing to provide the prescriptions you need quickly and securely. Ensure that the patient receives all the right information about the prescribed medication, including dosage, posology and potential side effects. This ensures continuity of treatment and patient safety, even in an online healthcare environment.
Humility, empathy and openness to learn and adapt are valuable characteristics that contribute to more efficient online medical care, avoid being the type of professional who has the inflated ego.
6- Schedule follow-up
Plan an appropriate follow-up with the patient to monitor his response to treatment and adjust the care plan if necessary. During the online consultation itself, establish a date and time for a next consultation or follow-up, taking into account the severity of the condition, the ideal frequency of monitoring and the patient's convenience.
Scheduling a follow-up demonstrates commitment to the patient's care and well-being, and is critical to assessing their progress with treatment and, if necessary, making appropriate interventions over time.
Doing things online also made it easier at the time of follow-up: if you are not available for a call, you can still schedule the follow-up of your patients in other ways, such as a conversation on WhatsApp to ask how the adaptation to the medicine is going, for example. example.
7- Respect ethics and privacy
Ethics and privacy are fundamental aspects of online medical care. It is crucial to ensure that all patient information is kept confidential and secure.
For this, you must make sure that you comply with the ethical principles of medical practice, such as professional secrecy and respect for patient autonomy. Also, be familiar with local laws and regulations related to data privacy and follow appropriate guidelines for transmitting and storing health information.
Also pay attention to the online consultation platform you will choose, and how the management of the patient's personal data works.
8- Look for a work partner
In an online service environment, there are several advantages that medical coworking can offer so that, in addition to your queries, your performance at work and your organization are also improved.
Knowledge sharing, access to resources and technology, cost reduction, networking and professional partnerships and a more stimulating environment are some of the advantages of having an online co-worker.
These advantages contribute to improving medical practice and providing a positive experience for both professionals and patients.
9- Stay up to date
Telemedicine and medicine in general are constantly evolving. It is essential to keep up to date with the latest research, medical and technological advances relevant to your area of expertise.
Be open to learning and adapting your practices as new information and recommendations become available. Stay involved in continuing medical education programs, attend professional conferences and forums, and connect with peers to exchange knowledge and experiences.
Another resource that helps in professional growth is the personal SWOT analysis which, applied to online medical care, allows healthcare professionals to assess their skills, identify areas for improvement, explore available opportunities and be aware of the challenges and threats associated with the practice of telemedicine.
By staying current, you ensure quality online medical care based on up-to-date evidence and best practices.
Conclusion
Online medical care in a medical coworking environment offers a modern and innovative approach to medical practice. By taking advantage of the available opportunities, facing the challenges and adapting to the demands of this virtual environment, healthcare professionals can provide quality care, reach more patients and contribute to the advancement of medicine.
Through this integrated approach, we are shaping the future of healthcare by providing accessible, effective and patient-centered care regardless of physical distance.
And remember, these guidelines are just a foundation for good online medical care. Each situation is unique, and it is critical to use your clinical judgment and adapt approaches to each patient's individual needs.
