Telemedicine has become a new norm in plastic surgery. Although it first gained popularity in response to the global coronavirus pandemic, it has persisted as a strategy to make cosmetic procedures more accessible and affordable. Through telemedicine, you can communicate with your plastic surgeon from the comfort and convenience of your own home, and you can enjoy access to a wider range of cosmetic surgery professionals.
Plastic surgeons continue to benefit from telemedicine, increasing patient satisfaction by ensuring that advanced professional care is available at an affordable cost. Here are a few ways telemedicine is making plastic surgery better.
1. Expanding Accessibility
Telemedicine is expanding access to plastic surgery and modern healthcare in general. It is now possible to connect to your doctor from any part of the world with the touch of a button. It’s also making it easier to seek second opinions and explore the different treatment options through calls and video calls. In many cases, telemedicine allows plastic surgeons to save time and work more efficiently, helping them serve more patients overall.
2. Efficiency and Affordability
Telemedicine significantly reduces the travel costs that the patients would incur for pre-op consultations, especially for patients who live far from the office or have young children or other dependents. Video conferencing removes traveling time and the hassle of planning for childcare.
Suppose you need a second medical opinion from two different clinics. In that case, telemedicine offers you the option of consulting both clinics in the comfort of your home without physically visiting the respective practices.
3. Promoting Patient Education
Telemedicine improves patient education in several ways. Patients learn about available options and ask crucial questions from the comfort of their own homes, and they can communicate with their surgeons as new questions arise. The plastic surgeon can also communicate instructions via telemedicine during post-op care.
4. Improving Post-Operative Care
Telemedicine enables plastic surgeons to provide better post-op care. After an initial follow-up exam, your plastic surgeon can communicate with you via phone or video call to check in, answer questions, or provide further instructions. As a result, you can limit the number of trips you need to make to the clinic for post-operative care and support. This is especially convenient for patients living in remote areas.
5. Easier Access to Qualified Surgeons
You now have easier access to qualified plastic surgeons thanks to telemedicine. Previously, plastic surgery patients were subject to long waiting lists. Telemedicine allows you to connect with plastic surgeons worldwide and, in many cases, receive treatment faster.
Potential Downsides
Telemedicine has improved the efficiency and accessibility of plastic surgery in several ways. However, like any new practice, it also has potential downsides. With more digital patient information being exchanged, telemedicine introduces new concerns about patient privacy. While hackers pose a threat to the security of patient information, telemedicine platforms are making efforts to secure their systems.
A New Dimension to Modern Plastic Surgery
Telemedicine has had a significant impact on plastic surgery because it gets quality care to patients who previously didn’t have it. A doctor can perform consultations and help you plan for treatment using telemedicine, making it affordable and convenient for patients living in remote areas. You can receive the most effective treatment at home instead of traveling long distances for consultations and second opinions, granting you access to more affordable and comprehensive plastic surgery.
Overall, the presence of telemedicine has had a positive impact on plastic surgery for both surgeons and patients, and it’s unlikely that we’ll see it slowing down anytime soon.