Since its expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has significantly alleviated pressure on healthcare systems. Having practiced telemedicine since 2020, I shared experiences from virtual consultations, including diagnosing conditions without in-person exams. One such instance revealed a patient's severe tonsil abscess. During a particularly overwhelming holiday season, I noted that telemedicine provided much-needed relief in light of a surge in illnesses amid shortages of essential medications. Personal experiences highlighted both the value and the limitations of remote healthcare capabilities, especially in urgent situations.
Telemedicine has proven to be a great complement and reliever of pressure for the nation's overwhelmed healthcare facilities and providers, but it has its own perils.
One afternoon, I had a visit with a patient in his kitchen who had right ear pain. I could not look into his ear, but his voice sounded muffled.
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