The spread of Internet usage and the continued development of digital platforms have paved the way for revolutionary changes in patient care. This has become even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, doctors and patients are using telemedicine to provide and receive the most convenient, affordable, and effective care without leaving their homes and offices.
Telemedicine, also known as telemedicine, telecare and telecounseling, has been used by healthcare providers for years even before the pandemic. It is used to make communication between providers and patients easier and more convenient.
At the time, telemedicine for pain management was primarily used by patients who needed regular check-ups and observations but were unable to visit a pain clinic due to health issues and physical limitations. It allows patients to connect with telemedicine pain management doctors and keep them updated on their condition. However, the pandemic has made telecounseling even more popular and widely used.
At Florida Pain Care Specialists, Dr. Luis Escobar provides telemedicine services for pain management issues. If you would like to make an appointment, please contact us so we can assist you.
Read on as we discuss telemedicine and its benefits for pain patients in more detail.
What is telemedicine?
Telemedicine is the delivery of selected health care services using communication tools to facilitate immediate conversations between doctors and patients or their representatives. They can communicate by phone or use online communication tools such as video conferencing.
Some services that can be provided through telemedicine include:
- regular communication between a physician or nurse practitioner and a patient
- Clinical pharmacy assessment, reviewing the patient’s medications to see if they are getting the correct dose or if there are any risks that need to be noted, especially if the patient has been taking these medications long-term and with other medications
- Professional assessment, such as post-operative follow-up and pain management
- Physical therapy courses
- A basic or initial consultation will help the doctor assess the patient’s condition and decide whether personal clinic visits and other tests are needed
- Discussion of inspection results
These are just some of the common ways to leverage telemedicine in pain clinics. Depending on the patient’s condition and medical history, a telemedicine pain management physician may also recommend it for other purposes or services.
What are the benefits of telemedicine for pain patients?
Telemedicine uses digital platform tools such as video conferencing, Internet calls and text messages for patients to consult doctors. These technological advances could replace face-to-face exams but allow doctors and patients to continue receiving care anywhere there is good internet access.
Telemedicine is considered a game-changer for pain patients, according to a study published in the journal Pain Medicine. Here are some of the benefits of telemedicine for pain patients:
1. Get consistent, high-quality care
When patients with pain are unable to receive treatment, their condition may worsen significantly. They require spontaneous, consistent and high-quality care to manage their condition, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when those with underlying conditions are highly vulnerable to the disease.
Click here to learn how pain affects your immune system.
Through telemedicine, they can receive such care at any time of the day, despite the remote environment. Patients can schedule an online consultation with us when they are experiencing pain and seek follow-up care if they want to control or prevent pain from recurring.
The digital environment may lack actual physical examinations, but there are tools and apps available to facilitate virtual examinations.
2. Instant medical guidance
Pain patients don’t have to wait long to see a doctor for evaluation. Through telemedicine, they can receive immediate medical guidance and avoid prolonged suffering, which often leads to depression or reduced quality of life.
Waiting to be seen is one of the dangers that pain patients face in traditional medical consultations. For example, according to the American Chronic Pain Association, pain issues are not always considered a serious problem in emergency rooms. Telemedicine can help eliminate this pain.
3. Convenient and cost-effective
People with pain are less mobile, so frequent visits to the doctor’s office may exacerbate their condition. But there’s no need to go anywhere when using telemedicine for a consultation or follow-up care.
Patients can receive care, guidance and advice from our pain management experts via video conferencing, phone call or text message from the comfort of their favorite chair at home. It also eliminates any travel costs or other inconveniences for patients who live alone and travel to a pain clinic unescorted.
4. Personalized care
In addition to the speed and convenience of connecting with our doctors, patients receiving telemedicine consultations receive personalized treatment similar to that of an in-person consultation. Because patient data is stored in our health management information system, our physicians can more easily monitor their progress and treatment compliance.
What diseases can be treated through telemedicine?
Generally speaking, telemedicine can be used for primary care, diagnosis, and management of a variety of conditions, such as:
- allergy
- asthma
- colds and flu
- diarrhea
- minor infection
- Diarrhea etc.
In the meantime, when using telemedicine for pain clinic consultations, you can expect it to help with:
- arthritis pain
- Sports injuries
- Headaches and Migraines
- sprain
- strain
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- General pain management
As long as your condition and symptoms are accurately and correctly described and your doctor recommends telemedicine or offers it as a treatment option, it may be right for you.
However, you should keep in mind that telemedicine may not be effective for medical emergencies. If you or a loved one is feeling severe pain and/or experiencing any of the following symptoms that indicate an urgent medical problem, it is recommended to call 911 or rush to the nearest emergency room:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Unstoppable bleeding
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- difficulty breathing
- Sudden feeling of dizziness, which may be accompanied by weakness, vision changes, slurred speech, or other neurological changes
- Severe or persistent diarrhea and/or vomiting
- changes in mental status, such as feeling confused
Learn more about telemedicine for pain management
If you have been suffering from chronic pain, consult today with Florida pain care expert Dr. Escobar, who has years of experience in pain management. His clinic offers comprehensive interventional pain management services, including telemedicine. If you want to learn how telemedicine can be used for pain treatment and management, give us a call today.
In addition, our pain specialists are experts at performing procedures such as spinal cord stimulation, platelet-rich plasma injections, epidural steroid injections and other innovative techniques. All of these can help you reduce pain and restore your quality of life.
For your convenience, we have three convenient locations throughout Florida. You can schedule a consultation at any of our offices:
If you would like more information, please contact us today!
The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of medical advice and does not substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your health, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.
