Online patient tracking can be realized with telehealth when patients need to be monitored for specific health conditions. It can also prevent health complications in patients who cannot travel easily, are in quarantine or have time constraints. There are many types of diseases that can be tracked online. Telemedicine refers to distance healthcare services including online monitoring, non-clinical patient education, prescription delivery, healthcare worker and patient communication.
Online Disease Monitoring
Online disease monitoring is the use of online services that allow patients to collect health-related data and send it to relevant healthcare professionals. Instead of going to a hospital to have their health data checked, a person can consult a doctor online and make hospital visits when necessary. Online tracking of diseases has benefits for patients and healthcare professionals, such as diagnosis, disease control and prevention of chronic conditions. In addition to communicating verbally to examine a person’s illnesses online, some illnesses may also require the use of technological aids. Instruments such as blood glucose meters, pulse oximeters and blood pressure monitors make online disease monitoring easier. With the help of smart devices, the person can also share their daily health data with the health worker. Dosage changes can be made according to the health data of people taking medication, and the person can also be referred to hospital if necessary. It would be wrong to expect to get a diagnosis for every disease from a doctor online. With telemedicine, the existing health status of more people is monitored and the aim is to eliminate the possibility of deterioration. At the same time, with the right follow-up, improvements are accelerated.
Online Trackable Cases
In addition to the devices used to monitor patients remotely, verbal questions are also helpful. Sharing daily health data with the doctor can help prevent complications. It may also be necessary to contact the doctor quickly in unexpected situations. In such cases, online monitoring can make a positive contribution to a person’s health. Situations that can be tracked through online video calls and devices include the following:
Blood Pressure
Blood sugar
Weight loss
Weight gain
Medication use
Food consumption
Heart rate
Detection of situations that may require urgent intervention
Unexpected complications
Body temperature
Diseases that can be Tracked Online
It is easier to follow the diseases that are diagnosed and started to be treated after the examinations in the hospital online. Diseases may not be diagnosed online and conditions such as medication or post-operative follow-up can be easily managed online. Especially with home follow-up of chronic diseases, the risk of complications can be reduced and the progression of the disease can be controlled. Rapid access to health services is more important for recurrent diseases. Telemedicine can be helpful when a person is already taking medication, is in lockdown, has limited mobility or does not have time to access health services. Especially diseases where follow-up is of extra importance for the patient’s health should be controlled as much as possible. This process can be easily fulfilled with online tracking. Some of the diseases that can be tracked online are:
Diabetes
Kidney diseases
Intestinal diseases
Hypertension
Asthma
COPD
Heart failure
COVID-19
Obesity
Depression
Benefits of Online Patient Tracking
For many years, healthcare providers have scheduled regular office visits to monitor biological and physical values in patients with chronic conditions. These frequent visits can be stressful for both patients and providers, increase cancellations in the course of life and reduce adherence. In addition to health data, methods such as video calls are also used in online patient follow-up. The benefits of following the patient closely online are:
Helps early diagnosis
Reduces recurrent hospital visits
Facilitates early intervention
More comfortable for people with serious illnesses
Saves time
Allows instant communication
Hospitals may have more facilities for serious illnesses