July, 2008 Mayo Clinic Proceedings an article reports the results of a study looking at the value of telemedicine in the management of diabetes. In essence, there were two arms of the study, one with the "usual" management, the other with an endocrinologist available by telemedecine for various problems.
The study found no benefit from having (more or less) instant access to an endocrinologist.
My take on this is that it supports a contention I have about health: It's not about access. It's about patients taking responsibility for their own health. If you are responsible, it becomes your responsibility to learn as much as you can about how to deal with problems, customized to your own situation. So that if you're not doing well, it's your responsibility, not a "failing of the system.Also providing health is not about high tech telemedicine"
The study found no benefit from having (more or less) instant access to an endocrinologist.
My take on this is that it supports a contention I have about health: It's not about access. It's about patients taking responsibility for their own health. If you are responsible, it becomes your responsibility to learn as much as you can about how to deal with problems, customized to your own situation. So that if you're not doing well, it's your responsibility, not a "failing of the system.Also providing health is not about high tech telemedicine"
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