Every April 7 marks the World Health Day and that is why it is worth knowing its relationship with other areas such as telemedicine. Especially during the last couple of years it has become more evident that it is a modality that more people prefer. The fear of going to hospitals has caused remote consultations to become more and more frequent.
According to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), the confinement derived from the COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for digital services by 50%. For its part, the need to promote legislation in Mexico on the telemedicine and that it be considered as a right that all people can access.
Another option available to patients
Telemedicine is an alternative, reliable and safe option to face-to-face consultation. It is considered as the first approach with a doctor and, in several cases, the follow-up to the treatments and check-ups indicated by the health personnel. It is important to mention that remote consultations do not replace face-to-face consultations but are a tool that favors health care.
“Internet medical consultations and telemedicine should be considered as a guarantee that all Mexicans can access, as is the case with health in general, so that telemedicine is considered a universal faculty of Mexican citizens. First, access to broadband must be accelerated, which is a constitutional right in Mexico”, commented Claudia Muro, Acting Country Manager of the doctoranytime platform for Mexico.
Telemedicine is currently related to the development of technology infrastructure and broadband access. According to data from National Institute of Statistic and Geography (INEGI), in Mexico there are 86 million people with internet access out of a total of 126 million inhabitants.
However, it is important to note that telemedicine and remote consultations are not only necessary due to the ongoing pandemic, but also for those patients who have a disability or limiting situation that prevents them from leaving their homes to receive medical care.
They ask to create a Mexican database
It is necessary to create an official database that establishes the number of institutions and doctors that offer remote consultations to create regulatory laws on telemedicine.
“Telemedicine worldwide and in Mexico has been very useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being able to provide health care services where distance is a critical factor, at a time when health services are saturated, and where face-to-face care implies a risk, both for the health care provider and for the patients. For this reason, this type of care has been essential during the pandemic,” Claudia Muro pointed out.
What is needed to offer medical consultations online?
The minimum requirements to be able to grant teleconsultation are to have basic knowledge in the use of technologies, understand the limitations inherent to teleconsultation, have a computer or smart device with internet connection, camera and microphone, and know when teleconsultation is preferable. face-to-face care.
