The Digital House Call – How Telemedicine is Reviving an Old-School Tradition ( Dr. Saarthak Bakshi, Healthcare Entrepreneur and CEO of RiSAA IVF )

By Dr. Saarthak Bakshi

Remember when doctors used to make house calls? You’d be lounging at home, not feeling so hot, and the next thing you knew, there was a knock at the door and your trusty physician striding in, black bag in hand. With a warm smile and a few well-practiced questions, they’d get to the bottom of what was ailing you – all from the comfort of your living room.

While that charming tradition may have fallen out of fashion over the decades, a high-tech version is breathing new life into the house call of yesteryear. It’s called telemedicine, and it’s bringing high-quality healthcare straight to your doorstep (or couch, or kitchen table) through the power of modern technology.

Here’s how it works: instead of having to schlep across town to a doctor’s office, telemedicine allows you to video chat or message with your healthcare provider using a smartphone, tablet or computer. Having a weird rash and need a professional opinion? Easy – just hop on a video call with the dermatologist. Following up after a procedure? Your doctor is a few taps away to check on your recovery.

For many busy Americans juggling a million responsibilities, that level of access and convenience is absolute gold. No more having to burn a vacation day and sit in a petri dish of a waiting room just for a routine checkup. With telemedicine, your appointment is just a click away whenever you have a free pocket of time. Bathroom break at work? Why not video chat with your doc real quick about those pesky migraines while you’re in there?

But reduced hassle is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to telemedicine’s benefits. This technology is also breaking down barriers to healthcare access in a huge way, especially for disadvantaged groups.

Think about someone living out in rural America, miles away from the nearest medical facility. For them, even getting routine care has been a logistical nightmare – until now. Thanks to telemedicine, they can get world-class treatment piped directly into their homes, regardless of where they’re located. No longer do geographic constraints stand in the way of people getting the help they need.

The same goes for older adults, those with mobility issues, and anyone else who struggles with transporting themselves to and from appointments. Telemedicine empowers these individuals to access quality care without ever leaving their homes. No more wrangling special transportation, arranging caretakers, or navigating obstacles that make doctor visits a challenge. They can simply connect through a video screen and get top-notch treatment delivered straight to their living rooms.

And let’s not forget how telemedicine preserves that all-important relationship between healthcare providers and their patients. With the traditional medical model, it’s so easy to miss follow-ups or let things fall through the cracks between visits. But telemedicine makes it easy to stay connected with your doctor. Have a quick question about medication side effects? Your provider’s just a video chat away to put your mind at ease. Need to brief them on new symptoms? No more waiting weeks for an appointment – they’re just a couple clicks away.

The benefits extend far beyond just patient convenience too. All this increased access and streamlining has the power to drive down costs across our healthcare system. When people can get everyday issues addressed via video instead of flooding emergency rooms, it frees up hospitals to focus on truly critical cases. Those savings get passed along in the form of lower premiums and out-of-pocket fees for everybody. It’s a win-win!

Of course, there are still some kinks to work out as telemedicine grows in popularity. We have to ensure the technology is user-friendly for all ages and backgrounds. Strong privacy safeguards need to be in place. And insurance companies have to be willing to recognize and compensate for virtual visits.

But those lingering hurdles shouldn’t overshadow the revolutionary nature of what telemedicine has already achieved. By allowing us to channel the comforts of a bygone era – doctors stopping by our homes, personal relationships with providers – while taking full advantage of modern tech, telemedicine is ushering healthcare into a whole new age of accessibility for all. The Uber-convenient, laser-focused treatment you’ve been dreaming of is now literally in the palm of your hand.

So why spend another day suffering through endless traffic or crowded waiting rooms? The 21st century doctor’s house call is here. Pull up a video screen, and you’ll soon be feeling better in no time!

(The author is Dr. Saarthak Bakshi, Healthcare Entrepreneur and CEO of RiSAA IVF, and the views expressed in this article are his own)