Buleleng Covid-19 Task Force Innovation, First Telemedicine for Isoman Covid-19
To accelerate the recovery of Covid-19 patients for the community, especially patients undergoing independent isolation (Isoman), the Buleleng Regency Covid-19 Task Force in collaboration with the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) of Buleleng Regency and the Undiksha Singaraja Faculty of Medicine held the inaugural Telemedicine. This was conveyed by the Coordinator for the Data and Information of the Buleleng Covid-19 Task Force, Ketut Suwarmawan, S.STP.MM. when giving the release of the covid-19 update in his office, Saturday (21/8).
Further explained by Suwarmawan who is also the Head of Communications and Information Technology of Buleleng Regency, that "Telemedicine" is an innovation of the Buleleleng Covid-19 Task Force to provide information and education to Isomans of Covid-19 patients and does not rule out Isoters, both in villages/Kelurahan and district Isoters.
“This inaugural telemedicine is aimed at Isomans whose numbers are very, very few so far. This free health counseling is to speed up the healing of the Isoman. The material is also related to mind management, breathing exercises, and tips for managing anxiety, “explained the former Head of the Prokom Division of the Buleleng Secretariat.
Furthermore, Suwarmawan explained, it was an extraordinary activity carried out by the volunteers who were moved by their hearts and took the time to provide health counseling services. With the hope of knowing what Covid-19 is and how to handle it, especially psychological counseling/management of the patient's mind to be able to increase the body's immunity.
Meanwhile, regarding the submission of the data release update on the Covid-19 development yesterday, August 20, 2021, which can only be submitted today, Kadis Suwarmawan explained the reason, because the data validation process is still in the process of synchronization and accuracy of the data held.
For cases as of August 20, 2021 yesterday, Kadis Suwarmawan explained, the recovery of Buleleng Covid-19 patients was quite significant, there were 143 people declared cured and discharged, predominantly from Buleleng District. For new confirmations, as many as 83 people and 7 people died, then 758 patients were being treated.
Meanwhile, the development of Covid-19 cases today, Suwarmawan explained, confirmed and recovered cases were almost balanced, with 69 new confirmed cases and 70 recoveries, 6 deaths, and 751 active patients under treatment.
Cumulatively, confirmed cases in Buleleng to date are 9,561 people with details, 8,388 people recovered, 422 people died, 745 people are being treated in Buleleng, and 6 people outside Buleleng.
Health Online Consultation
Telemedicine or online consultation is defined by the American Academy of Family Physicians as the practice of using technology to provide healthcare remotely. A doctor in one place uses communication technology to serve patients who are in another place.
According to WHO, telemedicine practice can be divided into two, namely asynchronous and synchronous. The difference between the two lies in the delivery of related data required in online consultations. With asynchronous telemedicine, patient data can be emailed to doctors. Then the doctor studies the data and then conveys the diagnosis. Meanwhile, synchronous telemedicine is carried out interactively directly, for example through video calls. So both doctors and patients can interact directly for a consultation. However, patient data can be sent to the doctor first to be used as the basis for a diagnosis that complements the online consultation.
Purpose of Use of Telemedicine
WHO explains that four elements are closely related to telemedicine, namely:
Aims to provide clinical support
Useful for overcoming geographic and distance barriers
Involves the use of various types of information technology devices
Aims to improve public health
From the explanation of these elements, the purpose of telemedicine is not limited to consulting services. Many things can be done with telemedicine. This includes sending patient data away from the hospital for quick diagnoses, such as radiology and cardiac examinations. Telemedicine can also be done between health facilities to exchange patient data.
Thus, patients can still benefit from medical examinations from doctors even though they are far from medical facilities. For example, for people who live in remote areas. In this case, documents such as photos, videos, and medical records are enough to be sent to the doctor for an immediate diagnosis.
Telemedicine Functions
The main function of telemedicine is to facilitate medical services by health facilities, especially for people who are difficult to reach or access these facilities. However, it takes infrastructure support and an adequate understanding of information technology in the application of telemedicine.