Our database is constantly updated with hundreds of positions throughout the UK and globally. Let us know your perfect role & we will send you daily job updates.
Medical diagnosis over Skype
With the news that doctors surgeries are considering starting to use Skype and other online face to face video services to treat and speak to patients out of hours, we look at the range of benefits and uses of such services for medical treatment and advice.
It’s no shock that doctors are planning to offer out of hours medical care via Skype, it all started when Embarrassing Bodies, a TV show produced by Channel 4 used Skype on live TV to see and help with the treatment of various conditions. It also provides a level of medical treatment for those who work long hours and are simply unable to get to a GP surgery during the usual opening hours, as the demands of working lives are changing dramatically everyday.
Whilst is may be a method of treatment and diagnosis that attracts criticism, for years doctors have offered and continue to offer telephone appointments. With Skype at least doctors are able to speak to the patient face to face and of course they are also able to see symptoms, allowing them to make accurate diagnosis and treat patients more appropriately. Many of course may argue that GP surgeries should simply open longer hours, but for some using Skype to speak to doctors out of hours brings many benefits.
Skype is used by therapists and psychologists who can speak to their clients over face to face video calls, so patients don’t have to travel long distances and can do the appointment at a much more flexible time. Of course one problem is that a home may not actually always be the most private of places and that there may be distractions or interruptions; for others is a safe, comfortable place where they may prefer receiving any form of treatment.
A big element for the NHS is to use such services to save money; with ministers saying the plans could save £3billion. Whilst some campaigners and some ministers believe that it may put patients lives at risk. The Department of Health believes that the scheme would reduce pointless appointments, save travel, save time and overall ultimately save money.
It’s also potentially planned for rural nurses to use iPads, for doctors to access patient records via an app; although of course any technology advancement is always welcome, it’s understandable that there may be concerns over safety and privacy.
Elderly people who don’t have Internet access may also lose out, but it’s hoped that the scheme wouldn’t lead to a detraction from existing services and simply improve efficiencies, which may potentially improve face to face services.
Whilst we must always embrace modern technology it’s also understandable that some conditions may be misdiagnosed as symptoms may be seen from a distance. But it all depends on just how the service is implemented and whether or not there is strong investment in such IT services and whether they can deliver efficiencies in the long run.