The advent of hormonal contraception completely revolutionized the lives of women in the Western world. No longer reliant on unpredictable forms of natural birth control, women were able to take control of their families, lives, and careers by using hormones to instill formal family planning. While the types of birth control have become more numerous as time has progressed, the contraceptive pill is still the most popular form of hormonal birth control in the United States. So how do contraception and telemedicine go together?
As birth control has modernized, so have the methods that women use to obtain it. Telemedicine has truly revolutionized patient care in general, but for people who are looking for contraception, it’s the perfect method. Telemedicine can be defined as the usage of telecommunications technology to deliver medical or diagnostic advice. It has been around since telecommunications technology was invented, but is experiencing a huge surge since the introduction of smartphones. New technology means that it’s easier than ever for patients to access healthcare.
Obtaining the contraceptive pill can be a drawn-out and inconvenient process for a lot of women. Firstly, you need to visit your doctor and answer a lot of questions, then you get your blood pressure taken and you get your prescription. The kicker is that you have to go back to the doctor every time for a repeat prescription, shelling out the extra money just for a five-minute blood pressure check and a new piece of paper.
The combination of contraception and telemedicine is perfect for busy women.
This just isn’t the case when it comes to the contraception and telemedicine combination. All of the hassle is taken away for patients. Instead of waiting and paying top dollar, you simply log on via your phone and the rest is taken care of. Usually, you will make an appointment or simply “walk in” to an online clinic. When you get through to a doctor, you’ll speak to them via the camera on your phone. If it’s your first time getting the contraceptive pill, they’ll ask you some questions about your medical history and if any women in your family have suffered from certain illnesses. If you’re deemed suitable, your prescription can be sent to your pharmacy, where they’ll take your blood pressure. When you need a repeat script, just log back on, request one, and then go to the pharmacy for the script.
The pairing of contraception and telemedicine is beneficial for many reasons. Firstly, you’re saving money, as most telemedical patients do. As telemedical doctors don’t have the same overheads as traditional doctors, their appointments are usually far cheaper. As well as that, telemedical doctors do not expect you to be beholden to traditional appointment times. If you’re a busy, professional woman, it’s unlikely that you’ll have the time to take to go to a doctor’s appointment for contraception. Telemedicine is actively putting the power back in your hands by allowing you to access health care at a time and place that suits you.
Usually, you can attend an appointment from any location, once you have privacy. The only place that you’ll need to travel to is your pharmacy. This is another bonus in getting contraception via a telemedical doctor. If you have a spare moment while you’re catching up on your favorite Netflix show, you can log on and renew your contraceptive prescription. It’s the easiest thing in the world and way more convenient than schlepping across town to visit your doctor. Who has time to see a doctor in-person when you can do it from your couch?
Your telemedical professional and pharmacist can work closely together to deliver your contraception.
One of the best things about this method is the way in which your telemedical doctor and your in-person pharmacist can work together. While your doctor will give you all of the advice that you need and will send your prescription straight to your pharmacist, your pharmacist is there to answer any questions that you may have about the medication itself, as well as administer your blood pressure test. Pharmacists are highly trained individuals and are used to helping patients ask questions about their medication. If you have any concerns about the medication you’ve been prescribed, you can speak to your pharmacist and then go back to your doctor for a different prescription and to ask further questions if you need.
All this considered, it’s clear that contraception and telemedicine are the perfect pairing. Where else will you be able to access life-changing medication from the comfort of your own home, while also being able to ask all of the relevant questions of a qualified medical professional? Everything about modern technology serves to make our lives easier, so why not bring that philosophy into your medical life? Empower yourself and make your life more convenient by pairing contraception and telemedicine. You won’t regret it for a minute!