Telehealth services got a big boost from the pandemic, but how can your doctor give you a physical on a Zoom call?
One of the biggest healthcare changes due to the COVID pandemic was the enormous growth in telehealth services. With offices and clinics closed, patients had little choice but to meet with physicians online. Many doctors and patients soon realized the convenience and efficiency of telemedicine: no trips to an office, and no waiting in a room full of sick people. But doctors still need to perform basic examinations of heart, lungs, throat, and ears. Telehealth equipment exists that lets patients perform these tasks remotely, but few homes have these items on hand. A community clinic in Texas received a grant to get TytoHome exam kits that let healthcare professionals perform a basic physical over a remote connection. The clinic has placed these kits in 1,200 homes in their service area. This is an excellent example of how technology can bring healthcare services to underserved populations.
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