Virtual Hospitals: New Reality of Healthcare

Don't we all remember the COVID era? When hospitals were overflowing with patients, beds were in short supply, and a doctor shortage created a dire situation. Virtual hospitals offer a hopeful substitute to ensure that such a reality never occurs again.

What Are Virtual Hospitals?

Virtual hospitals essentially link patients and doctors via telecom, text messages, applications, etc. In the comfort of their homes, patients can locate a specialist to evaluate their circumstances, make a diagnosis, and administer treatment. These hospitals have made changes to the established healthcare system to accommodate those who have difficulty accessing care. This was only possible due to the collaboration of the health & the IT sectors.

Interaction between patients and healthcare professionals is possible around-the-clock with virtual hospitals. To maintain the reports, there are applications designed for both patients and physicians. Actual hospitals typically have an emergency button at the bedside to notify the staff about a critical situation. However, for virtual hospitals, several devices are provided, such as wristbands, watches, and fall detection devices, which immediately alert doctors about an emergency situation.

What Are the Types of Virtual Hospitals?

1. General Hospitals

Patients can schedule appointments for immediate consultation and can skip the waiting period.

2. Chronic Disease Management Hospitals

These are the hospitals that specialize in treating long-term illnesses including diabetes, chronic heart disease, lung conditions, renal problems, etc. Many of the rural areas lack hospital facilities that include specialized healthcare. So, chronic disease management hospitals help to make high-quality services reach the deserted parts of such areas. Along with this, several lifestyle changes also have to be incorporated while treating such diseases. It can be difficult to monitor if the patient's location is remote. With these kinds of hospitals, it is easier for doctors to team up with local healthcare providers & monitor the condition of the patient remotely.

3. Tele Paramedicine

A group of clinicians work in these kinds of hospitals to respond to emergency calls and connect patients with paramedics and other experts as needed. It is especially appropriate for areas where there is a physician shortage.

Benefits of Virtual Hospitals

The majority of people who live in rural regions still lack access to basic healthcare. Even if PHCs (Public Health Centres) are available, there are not enough specialized facilities or expertise. The realism of virtual hospitals is proven to be a godsend in overcoming this obstacle. These hospitals not only have expert staffing, but they also save patient costs by allowing them to receive care close to home and removing the need for unnecessary travel, which is usually not a convenient option.

The combination of digital technologies and specialized care significantly improves outcomes. Chronically unwell and terminally ill individuals find it challenging to make several trips to the doctor. The ability to access patient records digitally and have continuous monitoring makes it simpler for medical professionals to act quickly and avoid long-term consequences.

To summarize, virtual hospitals are proving to be a game changer in the field of health as they cut down the waiting time and with integration of technology it can help in appropriate and timely management to prevent grievous diseases.

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