Don’t replace your pediatrician with a smartphone

There’s no doubt that technology is changing the face of medicine. Today, surgeons can perform minimally-invasive procedures with the assistance of a robot or replace missing limbs with bionic ones. Radiologists can read imaging studies from halfway around the world. There are specialists providing remote services to patients with strokes, women with high-risk pregnancies, and critically ill neonates. Mental health professionals are now able to offer life-changing care to patients who would otherwise be unable to access these services. And pediatricians can look into a child’s ears from their living rooms … sort of. All of this is a far cry from the idealized Norman Rockwell image of a doctor from the early 20th century. But while there was an undeniable charm to the physician with the black leather bag, modern technology has the potential to improve our medical care in ways we never dreamed possible. When used incorrectly, though, it can cause substantial harm. One recent medical innovation is telemedicine — which is essentially an office visit without the office … or the visit. Exactly how this looks can vary greatly from provider to provider. Some offer virtual visits using advanced equipment that allows doctors to listen to the heart and lungs, look into the ears and throat, and perform other aspects of the physical exam remotely, often with the assistance of a nurse who is physically with the patient. Other services enable patients to receive medical care f...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Pediatrics Source Type: blogs