The list of the benefits we get from technological advancement is endless. Now, doctors are not only able diagnose and manage illnesses with simplicity, but also relate to their patients better. A lot has changed in the field of medicine lately. Gone are the days when patients had to visit the clinic to talk to their physicians, or call them on the telephone. Today, doctors can be accessed 24 hours 7 days a week by their patients through the cell phone. Doctors can be reached by text or call anytime of the day. This new arrangement has both the plus and minus sides of it. Doctors who attend to patients with debilitating diseases have are available to help regardless of the time of the day. Your quality of sleep even gets better with the availability of this kind of service. The older you get, the more problems you get with your health. Whereas some are related to your lifestyle, others are hereditary.
The negative aspect of the this constant contact is that patients occasionally wait for the doctors feedback rather than going to the hospital where they can attended to right away. Remember, doctors may have meetings or even other patients to handle. Their eyes and attention will not be glued on the phone, meaning that you may not always receive immediate answer. Besides, mobile phones may be subject to abuse as some patients with trivial problems may call in ungodly hours of the night. You need to realize that your doctor too needs rest. Make sure its an emergency before you dial that number. Lets go through some of the principles you need to put in mind when using this kind of service.
Because inquiries through the cell phone can actually considered as consultations, you therefore need to be specific about your problem. Avoid typing vague and generalized messages. Its important that you give information about such things as, the onset of the problem, description of the character (location, intensity, timing, and aggravating and relieving factors), whether or not medication was administered, and changes you have experienced since the onset of the problem. It does not take just a couple of message for a doc to prescribe medicine. Taking care of a patient is not an easy task. You cannot just assume the same thing will work for all, thereby generalizing. It is very dangerous to prescribe medicines without sufficiently examining the patient.
Its highly recommended that you meet your doc in person or go to the emergency room for a pressing problem if you have not seen him in a long time. Your doctor needs to examine whether there are any major changes in your condition so as to make a well informed decision. If the doctors reply is taking forever and yet your problem is serious and pressing, dont despair. Storm the emergency room. It has been in existence way before the dawn of technology. If all your efforts to reach your doctors are in vain, jump into the car and kindly seek help of a third party to drop you at the hospital.
Learn by heart, the only time you need to take care of yourself most is now. Because you are older, your health can fail you anytime. You need to acquaint yourself with backup plans. That is the only way you can you can keep your problems in check.