Doctor on Call - Your Options

While discussing your problem, a doctor on call you can electronically transfer medical data (high resolution images, sounds, live video, and patient records) from one location to another. This medical data will be used for better diagnosis of the patient with knowledge of medical records. The varied applications in the field of telemedicine have reduced the burden of inferior health care by utilization of technology. Call system utilizes variety of telecommunications technology: telephone, ISDN, Internet, and satellite broadcasting. Telemedicine is utilized by health providers in a number of

medical specialties like dermatology, oncology, radiology, surgery, cardiology, psychiatry and home health care.

Hospital call centres and doctors take calls from patients and assess the severity of the patient’s symptoms and then guide the patient to the appropriate level of care. Demographic data such as age, gender, height, weight etc is also assessed. Asking questions starting with the most acute ones and then working down in severity to the least acute assesses symptoms. This helps determine the need for emergency intervention. Depending on the answers, the patient is then guided with the needed information. The call centres also help determine the course of action, based on the various possible causes for the symptoms. Thorough documentation is part of the process and is carried out just as diligently as charting on bedside procedures. The computerized systems make an electronic chart, which will develop an ongoing record for each patient in the system.

When the same patient calls, his or her chart is electronically retrieved and the medical history, diagnoses, and previous records are displayed. This assists to expedite continuity of care and ease of follow-up. The call center provides both technical and customer support for medical emergencies. There is use of communications technology to provide round-the-clock, telephone medical advice, information, products, and services. There is also development for use of interface with patients through the world-wide-web which has expanded its reach into the global marketplace. Specialized application software, data storage devices, database management software, and medical devices capable of electronic data collection, storage and transmission are all key components responsible for the success of resolving discussions of medical problems online.