by Mariette Johnson Wharton, VP of Marketing ~
Patients in remote areas are often unable to easily reach medical specialists, relying instead on primary care physicians for treatment. What happens when video conferencing brings patients to specialists? A staggering 98% of dermatology video consultations in a University of California study of 1500 patients resulted in a change in disease management. Nearly 70% of patients receiving multiple dermatology visits over video conferencing gained improvement in their condition.
Consider the health implications of video connectivity for patients not just in remote locations but those too sick or injured to travel, those impacted by treacherous weather conditions, or the elderly too frail for even a short trip. Already compromised patients are apt to have a greater need for specialists’ treatment. Video conferencing would allow access to the most appropriate specialists, regardless of where they practice.
Further, rarely if ever are primary care physicians, specialists, patients and insurance companies together to discuss disease and treatment options. Imagine a scenario in which each party comes to the table with whatever video technology is accessible to them, whether it’s Skype or a dedicated video conferencing device at the health provider’s office. A cloud video conferencing solution can make this dream possible, connecting disparate technologies on demand and letting all parties meet with video, regardless of geography and technology choice.