In class, we learned about neurons and their function. Neurons carry messages all through out our body. They are reason we feel pain among many other things. When we are exposed to a given stimuli–sound, taste, or other sensation–the dendrites of our neurons will receive the stimuli. The signal will then make its way down the axon of the neuron. Eventually, the stimuli will come to the synapse terminals. Here, vesicles with neurotransmitters with undergo simple diffusion over the synaptic cleft. The neurotransmitters will bind with the ligand gated ion channels of the dendrites of the next neuron and the process will repeat until the single has reached its area of interest.

This simple process can be the cause of so much anguish. Take Kent Manuel, who has been training to be able to re-use his legs after a paralysis surgery. Neurons explain, from a broad sense, why he has trouble walking. The nerve cells relaying information from his legs to his brain, and vice versa, have been damaged to the point where they can no longer carry out their function.

However, there is some optimism for Mr. Manuel. He was recommended to undergo palliative care–one on one interaction that helps patients with great discomfort. Palliative care helps one with physical, mental, and spiritual issues. Interestingly, Mr. Manuel’s doctor, Julia Frydman, lives hundreds of miles away from him. The two were able to communicate via virtual calls in what has become known as telemedicine.

Unfortunately, this new form of medicare may not last past march 1st of this year. Although the Republicans in Congress were willing to increase the cost of medicare as whole to accommodate for telemedicine, it is unlikely to survive for long. The Republicans voted down the motion when President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk spoke out against it. Regardless, telemedicine is here to stay until March.

Telemedicine is a very practical new tool. Many doctors visits revolve solely around doctor patient conversation (eg. talking over results). Thus, the need to actually be in an office is pointless. In addition, if fewer people are entering the ER for test results among other things than the people who are in urgent need of aid will be seen sooner.

That being said there are some cons to telemedicine. As a whole, many of the services health care professionals provide need to be done in person (eg. vaccinations, drawing blood, getting a cast on). Furthermore, a recent study in a New York Times article mentioned that 40% of those involved in the study had telemedicine and did not find it effective.

I personally think I hybrid approach would be most effective, but what do you think?

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