Thanks to telemedicine , a surge of medical professionals are effectively delivering health care to patients over long distances . They are saving patients time and money by replacing an in - office visit with a virtual encounter via phone , internet , or computer for common ailments . Hospitals are staffing “ trauma centers ” with specialty care teams who are responsible for monitoring sick patients in short - staffed rural intensive care units ( ICUs ) .
Thanks to telemedicine, a surge of medical professionals are effectively delivering health care to patients over long distances. Physicians are saving patients time and money by substituting an in-office visit with a virtual encounter via phone, tablet, or computer for common ailments. Hospitals are staffing “command centers” with specialty care teams who are responsible for monitoring sick patients in short-staffed rural intensive care units (ICUs).