Telemedicine: How will Telecommunications affect Nurses?

Nurses General Nursing

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Thoughts on how this could affect the job market and nature of nursing jobs in the next 5, 10, 15, 20+ years?

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homework?

what are your thoughts?

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Grn Tea,

I really don't have an informed opinion. I am new to the field, finishing up my BSN, and mainly wondering how this will affect the job market and nature of my job as a nurse.

I have only found information online from telemedicine companies, so of course it is all positive - boasting many new job opportunities, etc. I am not sure that's how it will pan out. It seems to me, that telemedicine would eliminate some jobs.

Maybe someone else has personal experience with it in the workplace?

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Specializes in M/S, ICU, ICP.
homework?

what are your thoughts?

:loveya::lol2:

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Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

If more nurses have to do telemedicine, job satisfaction will increase as they can only be pulled in one direction on the phone. Just kidding. But, there will always be people in hospitals. People will get sick, now and always.

It's interesting how our diseases have changed from things which many vaccines have eradicated, TB, polio, etc, to sedentary ones that are a product of how our hunter-gatherer/farming lifestyles have changed into, for the most part, sitting around all day at work, but ironically, we work longer hours than before, so less time at home with family. Lights were off when night fell, and now some jobs require 12 hour days 5 days a week. So, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, HTN, MI's, CVA's, will all continue to occur due to stress/sedentary lifestyles.

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Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

Sorry...obviously TB is not eradicated, and some say it's on the rise, but still not the concern it once was back in the day since we can treat it.

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According to the CDC tuberculosis has been on a steady average decline of 3.8% per year since 2000. 60% of the cases originated from foreign born patients.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

You have to define telemedicine first to determine what sector it will affect.

I've observed in an eICU unit, and it's definitely created nursing jobs. It has also created IT and tech jobs to keep the system running.

I attended a symposium where a presenting neurologist was piloting telemedicine for CVAs in the ED. The development, maintenance, and training for the equipment used creates jobs, but has little effect on nursing opportunities.

I really don't see telemedicine eliminating nursing jobs. If anything, it creates technology jobs, as long as they aren't outsourced, that is.

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Telemedicine will probably require nurses with experience and those nurses will probably have a high caseload. These jobs will probably be outsourced outright or nearsourced to states with comparatively low wages and no unions.

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Telemedicine is in full swing in British Columbia Canada. You must be a citizen to work there. I am a part of a telemedicine online service in which you have access to a physician 24 7 365 days a year. It is really progressive and I believe that it is futuristic. You sign in give your medical history allergies and such and the Dr. is always in. There are nurses that work for the company as well. I think it is a good deal for people who do not have insurance, because they do not bill your insurance. Private industry has come up with a web based solution via web cam or telephone that eliminates the Dr.s office. I like it.

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Specializes in Clinical Nurse Leader.
Telemedicine will probably require nurses with experience and those nurses will probably have a high caseload. These jobs will probably be outsourced outright or nearsourced to states with comparatively low wages and no unions.

Clearly, as a nurse in any area you should always be researching and understanding how to stay current with the latest technological fronts. If you keep your skills current then telemedicine in any capacity will never replace your job.

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Specializes in Clinical Nurse Leader.
Telemedicine is in full swing in British Columbia Canada. You must be a citizen to work there. I am a part of a telemedicine online service in which you have access to a physician 24 7 365 days a year. It is really progressive and I believe that it is futuristic. You sign in give your medical history allergies and such and the Dr. is always in. There are nurses that work for the company as well. I think it is a good deal for people who do not have insurance, because they do not bill your insurance. Private industry has come up with a web based solution via web cam or telephone that eliminates the Dr.s office. I like it.

Actually, many states have the ability to be reimbursed by private payer insurance companies. I believe its 14 states but I am not completely certain. Eventually, this number will change as more hospitals accept the technology. Many doctors and even patients are hesitant to try it because research is fairly new and limited, however once utilized it can reduce misuse of hospital resources and decrease patient stays in ED's.

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