Imagine, one day baring your back to your computer screen with your dermatologist looking on to show her the strange-feeling mole on your shoulder. Your dermatologist then makes a diagnosis of a growth that warrants a closer look, so you are transferred to the office receptionist to make an appointment.

Telemedicine is Here and Now

That day is today, and the practice is called “telemedicine” or “e-care.” It is the exchange of medical information from one site to another to improve patient health, at its most basic definition. To expand upon this definition, e-care relies on two-way video, smartphones, e-mail, wireless tools and other forms of telecommunication applications to achieve its goal.

There is also remote patient monitoring that uses devices at the patient’s locale to collect and send data to the appropriate agency or lab for interpretation. This service supplements home health care nurses and can be used to send specific information relating to blood pressure, blood sugar or heart activity.

Typically, using live, interactive video or transmission of diagnostic imaging, vital signs and other video clips of patient data, a primary care physician or a specialist can make a diagnosis based on transmitted medical information. This could make the difference between a patient seeing a specialist or choosing not to pursue the diagnosis further because of problems getting to the doctor’s office.

Also, studies have shown a significant decrease in the cost of treating health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes or conditions that benefit from near-constant monitoring.

Lastly, the use of the Internet for research of specialized medical problems and the ability to participate in group discussions online, such as support groups is another reason to have e-care.