House Calls
Reader's Digest India|September 2021
When done right, virtual appointments can benefit everyone
Luc Rinaldi
House Calls

Last year, Covid-19 forced many aspects of our lives online, and medicine was no exception. We had to avoid non-essential outings, including some visits to hospitals and doctors’ offices. So, patients swapped in-person appointments for phone and video chats. Google searches on the telehealth approach spiked.

Virtual visits are well-suited to many medical tasks, including simple ones like refilling prescriptions, as well as diagnosing and treating conditions that rely on a doctor’s sense of sight—pink eye, rashes, varicose veins—or a patient’s description of symptoms, such as back pain and sore throat. Telehealth also excels at monitoring chronic conditions, such as congestive heart failure, where doctors don’t need to provide a new diagnosis but rather check up on patients, monitor new symptoms and discuss side effects of medication. Diabetes is also a good fit : people can electronically share their blood-sugar levels, dosing and other information for a nurse to review.

This story is from the September 2021 edition of Reader's Digest India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2021 edition of Reader's Digest India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM READER'S DIGEST INDIAView All
ME & MY SHELF
Reader's Digest India

ME & MY SHELF

Human-rights lawyer, activist and teacher, Nandita Haksar is the author of 25 books. Her latest, Shooting the Sun: Why Manipur Was Engulfed by Violence and the Government Remained Silent, looks at the complex identity politics surrounding the ethnic clashes that broke out in Manipur in 2023.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
Elevator from the Subcontinent, by Gigi Scaria, 2011
Reader's Digest India

Elevator from the Subcontinent, by Gigi Scaria, 2011

Elevator cabin with three backlit projections, automatic door system with microcontroller, 9.3 minute video.

time-read
1 min  |
March 2024
RD RECOMMENDS
Reader's Digest India

RD RECOMMENDS

DUNE: PART 2 in theatres (1 March)

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
22 RIVERS across 22 STATES in 22 MONTHS
Reader's Digest India

22 RIVERS across 22 STATES in 22 MONTHS

A lone canoeist crosses America in search of what binds us together

time-read
9 mins  |
March 2024
ELOPEMENT SPRINGS ETERNAL
Reader's Digest India

ELOPEMENT SPRINGS ETERNAL

At the ripe age of 65, we decided to run away and get married

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE TUAREGS
Reader's Digest India

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE TUAREGS

A journey to the Tassili n'Ajjer plateau in Algeria reveals rock paintings dating back millennia

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2024
Awarding Excellence
Reader's Digest India

Awarding Excellence

A look back at the 2023 Trusted Brand Award presentation ceremony hosted by Reader's Digest India last month.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
The Great Unknown
Reader's Digest India

The Great Unknown

An unlikely friendship helped my son grapple with divorce, death and ...

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2024
NIGHTMARE ALLEY
Reader's Digest India

NIGHTMARE ALLEY

A couple, fleeing the shelling in Ukraine, are captured by Russian troops. It's up to their frantic son-living 2,400 km away-to get them free.

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 2024
BE FRIENDS WITH YOUR MONEY (AND MANAGE IT TOO!)
Reader's Digest India

BE FRIENDS WITH YOUR MONEY (AND MANAGE IT TOO!)

This successful Internet entrepreneur, content creator and bestselling author shares his tips for anyone trying to kickstart their investment journey

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024