Medical help for Latinos through Telemedicine

Latinos in rural and remote areas can get medical help
Latino Journal, May 25, 2009

As technology advances, medicine will no longer be limited to a hospital or clinic environment. There is a new field that is making medicine more accessible and perhaps even less expensive, called "Telemedicine," which simply put, is the ability to provide interactive healthcare utilizing modern technology and telecommunications. It allows a patient to visit with a physician over video for immediate care, without setting foot in a doctor's office, a clinic or hospital.

Major benefits of a Telemedicine Consultation are as follows:

* The specialist actually hears your medical history and current condition directly from you and your provider instead of the specialist receiving a dictated note in the mail.
* With the use of ENT medical peripherals such as a nasopharyngoscope, your provider can pass this medical peripheral into your nasal passage which will allow your provider and the ENT specialist simultaneous crystal clear video of your throat and vocal cords. The specialist may ask you to cough, pronounce letters, etc. in order to get the best outcome for the diagnosis.
* The specialist can diagnose and recommend treatment immediately.
* Your provider has the opportunity throughout the examination to ask questions and learn from each and every consultation. The continual education of your provider via medical consultations is an immeasurable benefit to all his patients.

The benefits of telemedicine facilities will aid in delivering healthcare to rural and remote parts of the nation and world. The next wave of new physicians will be trained on providing medical care long distance including diagnoses, prescriptions, and basic surgery. Patients will receive specialized medical care without leaving their communities or the costs of travel and follow up appointments. Many Schools of Medicine have launched Telemedicine programs across the United States.

Another cost effective form of Telemedicine is being offered by the Medical Advice Services (MAS) which offers telephone access to bilingual physicians. Although not as sophisticated as that provided by the services offered through medical universities, it is an alternative, especially to those who do not have access to all the technologies needed for transmitting video or photo files. This service offers basic medical advice to the program user that may include seeking immediate medical attention.

For more information, visit www.telemedicine.com or www.masadv.com.