Globally, telemedicine is an increasingly popular option for connecting injured or ill employees with healthcare professionals, whether at work or at home. Today, as governments urge patients to avoid hospitals and practice social distancing, there has been even greater interest in using telemedicine services to obtain remote treatment, prescriptions, or professional care during the COVID-19 crisis.
Telemedicine can deliver fast, convenient, and affordable healthcare for many businesses in cases of injury or illness.
WHAT IS TELEMEDICINE?
Telemedicine refers to the practice of providing remote care to patients when the healthcare provider and patient are not physically present. A patient in one location can connect with a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, or any other healthcare provider located in another location via a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
BENEFITS OF TELEMEDICINE
- AvailabilityThe best telemedicine services can connect workers with healthcare providers 24/7/365. Telemedicine also allows for consultations with specialists in remote areas.
- Fast and convenient service in situTelemedicine allows minor work-related injuries to be addressed quickly and often treated at the workplace itself. Physical therapists can provide exercises, postural instructions, and monitor the progress of rehabilitation processes, and even check on patients while they are at work.
- AccessibilityTelemedicine costs are significantly lower than those of in-person consultations and emergency room visits. Along with directly reducing treatment costs, telemedicine helps decrease unnecessary emergency room visits and improves the management and accuracy of healthcare requests.
- Quick recovery. Telemedicine can put workers on a fast track to recovery. A worker can be quickly treated and placed on a recovery plan; they may never even need to take time off work. This rapid recovery can also increase productivity and shorten sick leave or compensatory time off.
- SecurityTelemedicine can also be a good alternative when it is not safe to visit a doctor in person, physical facilities are closed, or health services are overwhelmed due to an incident such as a pandemic.
It's important to note that telemedicine may not be appropriate for serious injuries and does not replace emergency care. Furthermore, some employees may prefer to receive care at a doctor's office or health service even when telemedicine is an option.
If your company decides to consider telemedicine services for its employees, it is important to choose a provider that fully complies with local laws and regulations applicable to the concept of telemedicine.
En GDI We aim to support our employees, wherever they may be. During the lockdown, we provided this type of support to our staff to keep them safe, offering psychological support and exercise programs to help them stay fit.