Telenursing: Is It in My Future - Essay Example

Telenursing, is it in my future? Introduction Telenursing involves provision of heath care services by a registered nurse through the use telecommunication and information systems. Sarnecky et al, (2010) argues that Telenursing is a new role in recent times though there is evidence it existed during the early days. The findings are true because initially, telenursing involved the use of telephone to pass healthcare information. Actually, information such as prescription, provision of laboratory results or even provision of basic safety precaution to a patient by a nurse, all this characterised telenursing. This was most common during the war periods when the U.S. army nurses provided information to soldiers who were away in the combat zones (Sarnecky et al, 2010). Many countries nowadays have embraced technology for the use in telenursing. United Kingdom and Sweden top the list with the of use telehealth to manage patients. Swedish telenursing has performed exemplary well through the reduction in costs for the provision of this vital service. This is because there is centralization of the call centres and there is only one telephone number for the entire nation. The telephone number is open twenty four hours a day where telenurses attend to callers anytime and anywhere they are (Mortensen & European Telenurse Conference, 1997) Advantages of Telenursing Telenursing is cost efficient in terms of medication and consultation. It reduces the amount of resources allocated to the purchase of medicines which cost a lot regarding the type of treatment. It also reduces the transportation costs incurred by the patient while seeking treatment to and fro the hospital. Telenursing involves preventive medication rather than curative (Sarnecky et al, 2010). Through the use of video and audio technological systems, the nurses can be able to monitor the progress of the patient before it worsens. This reduces other costs like ward fees, x ray fees, ambulance fees; that could have emerged in case the patient’s health had deteriorated. It reduces congestion in hospitals. Many hospitals especially in developing countries suffer the problem of congestion. Due to increased number of patients and lack of enough beds, patients are forced to share beds to ease the calamity. This in turn brings up another issue like the spread of viral diseases. Viral diseases like tuberculosis, meningitis, hepatitis b and c just to mention a few, can easily be transmitted especially where there is shortage of spacious space and air (Sharpe, 2001). Additionally, there should be provisions of care to people in remote areas. People who live far from hospital reach can easily get healthcare advice from the telenurses. Minor health advice problems are the most common sorted in telenursing; they include burns, diarrhoea, stomach upsets and headaches (Mortensen & European Telenurse Conference, 1997). Telenursing reaches masses beyond borders irrespective of their distance. It provides assistance especially for people who travel outside borders and seek medical help any time of day (Sharpe, 2001). By having a common regional centre for the entire nation, it promotes data sharing across all the service providers. The patients’ health records can be accessed by any doctor across the country; thereby inconsistencies in diagnosis and drugs prescriptions are avoided. There is also the importance of quick response time to emergencies. The patient’s medical condition can be accessed before hand and extreme deterioration in his or her health can quickly and easily be responded to by the telenurses. High-tech information systems provide a unique way to assess the patients’ normal signs and behaviour. The medical professional can be able to monitor the normal behaviour of the patient from the change in his condition. Some patients prefer less face to face interactions especially if it is because of addiction or stress related. Patients who suffer addictions feel comfortable talking to telehealth providers so as to avoid shame and uneasiness when explaining their case (Sarnecky et al, 2010). Telenursing increases the number of patients seen per day. Through the use of telecommunication and information systems, the nurse can be able to asses a big number of patients under his or her work station without moving. Disadvantages of Telenursing Mortensen & European Telenurse Conference (1997) argues that it brings about emotional distress such that the health practitioner can find it difficult to give the correct diagnosis. In case the telenurse fails to get the correct symptoms description; he or she would be disturbed to give out prescription since it may have a negative reaction on the patient. Nurses are obliged by the law to be extra keen on their judgements because they deal with human lives and they would be held entirely responsible for their actions. Sharpe, (2001) argues that the cost of installing the audio visual equipments per patient is a huge amount. The patients’ numbers are big and the number of machines to be installed at their homes will also be many. The cost will increasingly go high especially if the patient is located in a remote or far place from the health centre. Other costs may come in handy like transportation costs and electricity costs in case the patients’ house has a power surge or even lacks electricity completely. Mortensen & European Telenurse Conference (1997) articulates that due to lack of physical observation by the nurse, the medical officer can prescribe a wrong medication leading to adverse effects on the patient. The medication can lead to more serious complications or fail to cure the disease leading to death. The machine can also be complicated to use by the patient and compromise his condition as well as the observation of the telenurse. The nurse can face legal charges in case he gave a wrong advice or medication to the patient. The patient can sue the nurse or the medical institution for compensation (Sarnecky et al, 2010). Recommendation Alike any other types of work, challenges are always there. This work only requires a person to be extra attentive to understand his or her patients’ problems. In other professions like accounting, teaching, engineering giving the correct information is a must, any wrong information would lead to an adverse outcome including putting the employee’s job on the risk. Telenurses need to apply the same attitude and refer crucial cases to the hospital. The practical advantages of telenursing out ways its disadvantages and hence; the job is highly worth it and should be applied for. Conclusion Telenursing involves making complex decisions at any given time. This is because the medical officer is required to listen and make quick precise decisions to the callers. Therefore, it involves the health care provider to have good listening and communication skills to interpret information. References Sarnecky, M. T., Borden Institute (U.S.), & Walter Reed Army Medical Center. (2010).  A contemporary history of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Washington, DC: Office of the Surgeon General, Borden Institute, Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Sharpe, C. C. (2001). Telenursing: Nursing practice in cyberspace. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Auburn House. Mortensen, R. A., & European Telenurse Conference. (1997). ICNP in Europe: telenurse. Amsterdam: IOS Press. Read More