Today's class discussion: Telemedicine

Telemedicine has played a huge role in developing a communications network connecting many medical professionals and patients. Made primarily for consultation purposes, medical information is transferred and exchanged using mobile phones, internet, or fax instead of the traditional face-to-face. Therefore, Telemedicine can include two doctors discussing information on telephone or even using cameras or webcams to visually connect a doctor and a patient (as shown in the image on the left). Utilizing almost any electrical means in order to provide medical care is considered to be Telemedicine. 


Online pharmacy has been one of the most successful impacts Telemedicine had on medical care. Many patients who order prescriptions are often not renewing their medication; they don't always need a physical exam, especially if an exam has already been done in the past. Therefore, medical doctors review the medical history of patients who ordered prescriptions to determine if the medication can be prescribed. 


Advantages of Online Pharmacy
- Prescriptions can be shipped right to a patient's door 
- ill patients do not have to leave home; eliminates trips to hospitals and drugstore 
- Elimination of transportation fees
- There is no need for scheduling appointments
- Patients don't need special hardware to access online pharmacies. They only need a computer and internet access. 


IT Issues 
Privacy - As personal medical information of patients are involved, the online pharmacy has to provide a safe and secure ordering system (i.e. https:// or using a PIN) to protect vital data. 
Authenticity - It has to be made sure that patients only get genuine medications from licensed pharmacies.
Reliability - It has to be made sure that orders must not be mixed and right medications are sent to right patients.


Popular Online Pharmacies
AccessRx: Accessrx.com
Walgreens: Walgreens.com
CVS Pharmacy: cvs.com
United Pharmacies: unitedpharmacies.com
Duane Reade Pharmacy: duanereade.com