Question

Explain how patients are becoming more involved in their own health care and how it will change the health care paradigm . Would you go to a doctor over the internet?

Answer 1

In recent years patients are participating more in the care planned by the primary health care provider. In earlier days however, it was only the doctor who planned the treatment and there was limited communication between the patient and the doctor which caused miscommunications leading to poor treatment and prognosis. But today, patients are actively involved in the plan of treatment by opening up and questioning regarding the disease conditions and its treatment , In addition patients are also given choice or options for certain treatments and it's the patient who decides what is best for him/her. The healthcare sector has shifted from following autocratic model to a democratic model. Furthermore, Patients and doctors work as a team to set a goal towards the positive outcomes for patients.  

HOW IT WILL CHANGE THE HEALTHCARE PARADIGM :

• The primary decision maker in the plan of treatment will be patients.
• Introduction of certain eHealth software's which will help both the patient and the doctor to monitor patients vitals and aid in making decisions for appropriate treatment.
• Better communication between the patient as well as doctor will prevent certain complications.
• Risk of committing error will decrease due to active involvement of the patient.

Going to the doctor on the internet is advisable because today we have software's such as EHR which contains all our medical and surgical history. Hence, the doctor will review the record and provides treatment accordingly. However, it is only best for acute treatments such cough and cold. In case of a long term or chronic disease conditions the option is to visit the family doctor, because doctors over the internet will not be able to assess the vitals digitally.