As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase in the United States, governing bodies are concerned about the impact it is having on our already burdened healthcare system.

While our medical system is one of the finest in the world, it’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed plenty of kinks in the armor. We may have innovative solutions and optimized critical care wards with surplus hospital beds. But the number of patients is increasing day-by-day, and there aren’t as many healthcare professionals to give them the attention they need.

In this situation though, a technology that’s helping ease the burden on our healthcare workers is the telehealth system!

Flattening the Curve through Telemedicine

Telemedicine seems to be tailor-made for a situation such as this. A virtual system through which healthcare professionals can contact the patient through phone or video chat, the telemedicine system is even more vital now in our communities because it facilitates social distancing.

COVID-19 is infectious. And from what we know so far, while the older population is more at risk from the virus—mostly those with pre-existing medical conditions—many younger people with seemingly no health conditions are susceptible as well. Telemedicine helps in keeping people away from any crowded areas that may cause the virus to spread from one person to the next.

Providing medical care to patients in the safety of their own home, telemedicine frees up the medical staff’s equipment and time, so they can pay attention to the patients that are hospitalized.

As a result, telemedicine not only helps treat a larger number of patients, it keeps them safe from any risk of exposure, and helps the overburdened medical staff manage their time and resources. Patients self-monitor their symptoms at home as they recover; medicine is delivered to their doorstep. As a result, the system performs an essential duty—keeping people safe in their homes.

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How IndicaMD Uses Telemedicine

IndicaMD has, for long, used a HIPAA-compliant telemedicine platform to communicate with our clients.

Our patients require medical marijuana to treat their conditions. And because we want to make the process as simple as possible, we use a telemedicine platform, so they don’t have to worry about coming to the doctor’s office and deal with the wait or the paperwork.

After registration, our patients have a real-time video chat with their medical marijuana doctor, after which they determine if the patient requires medical marijuana. Once they’re approved, we send over the documents, so the patient skips through all the hard work. We’ve used telemedicine to give our patients access to expert medical information, so that they can get their medical marijuana card in New York faster.

As a result, the system is helping us manage our patients during the pandemic too. By using an online system while our patients stay at home, we’re using this technological solution to keep our patients indoors, safe and sound!