How to Visit the Doctor Without Leaving Your House

For many people struggling with mental illness, it can be difficult to find a reliable therapist or counselor with convenient office locations. It is especially difficult for patients who are also physically disabled, or who live in rural areas. Fortunately, modern medicine has found a way to connect with these patients with telemedicine video conferencing solutions.

By connecting to clinics and doctors’ offices with telemedicine software, patients can ask questions and receive support without having to leave their homes. All telemedicine systems are required to be compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), to protect patients’ privacy. HIPAA compliant video conferencing software has made it possible for patients to connect with their physicians and get the treatment they need without worrying about their sensitive information being shared with complete strangers.

Telemedicine psychiatry is a rapidly-growing field, as patients with anxiety disorders or severe depression are realizing that they don’t have to leave the house to have a successful therapy or counseling session. This is resulting in fewer missed and cancelled appointments, freeing up therapists’ time to help more patients.

Of course, not all telemedicine is video conferencing. Some systems can monitor the patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and respiration. This is useful for patients who are bedridden or recovering from surgery. Doctors are able to check in and make sure their patients are fine without disturbing them from sleep or regular activity.

While HIPAA compliant video conferencing software may have revolutionized therapy and remote patient monitoring, it is not without its drawbacks. Telemedicine systems can be prohibitively expensive, especially for elderly patients with a fixed income. It may also delay treatment for patients whose condition requires medication.

Even though it has its disadvantages, telemedicine is continuing to save lives around the world, and provide patients with the help and support they need. With further advancements in video and medical technology, telemedicine will find its way into the mainstream market, and people with mental illness and chronic pain will wonder how they ever lived without it.