Reading Practice 7

Read the text and answer the questions that follow.

Telemedicine
I Many of us are familiar with the ancient Greek prefix tele-, meaning “far away” or “remote”. It gives us
the words television (seeing from afar), telephone (hearing from afar), telescope (looking from afar) and
telegram (writing from afar), among others. This prefix is now also used to name another, relatively
new, concept – telemedicine. Providing medical services from afar, telemedicine uses various forms of
telecommunication such as video and audio links and computer-to-computer transmissions.
II Telemedicine is divided into three types. “Store-and-forward” collects information such as test results
and sends it on to a patient or doctor. “Remote patient monitoring” allows medical personnel to check
from afar the progress of patients using medical equipment such as a heart monitor. Finally, there is
“direct contact” between patient and doctor using everyday electronic devices.
III But telemedicine is controversial. Some people fear that reduced personal doctor-patient interaction
means that doctors cannot pick up non-verbal cues, especially if interaction takes place through an
audio call or text message. Then, too, a patient may consult a different doctor for each ailment,
allowing no professional to form a complete medical picture. But advocates argue that easy access to
a doctor outweighs these concerns. This may be true both for house-bound patients and those living in
remote areas, but also for patients wishing to avoid a drive through traffic or those reluctant to
encounter germs in waiting rooms. Critics also worry about electronically transmitted data, claiming that
poor quality transmissions could lead to misdiagnosis. But those in favour value the speed with which
material may be transferred to a primary doctor or to a specialist for an expert opinion.
IV Telemedicine consumers are often surprised at the quality of care. First, a doctor is always available
with minimum waiting time, providers often follow up by e-mailing or texting a summary of the visit, and
may even check in on the patient some days later, while prescriptions can be sent directly to a local
chemist’s.
V In 2013, there were fewer than 350,000 patients in the United States using telemedicine services. By
2018, a report estimates that this number will reach seven million. Perhaps one day, you too will be
using these services.

1 Choose the correct answer.

1 Opponents of telemedicine worry that .
a people will not contact their doctor often enough
b doctors will only rely on non-verbal messages
c doctors won’t gain a complete view of patients
2 Telemedicine patients .
a are surprised by the long wait to consult a doctor
b needn't visit the doctor to get a prescription
c must check in with the doctor after the consultation
2 Answer the question.
Why does the writer refer to telemedicine as being controversial? Give examples.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3 Complete the sentences.

1 “Store-and-forward” refers to ........................................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .

1
 Reading Practice 7
2 According to a report, by 2018 there ........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .

4 Decide if the following sentences are true (T) or false (F). Find evidence in the text to support
your answers.
1 Telemedicine only benefits people living in remote areas.
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2 Specialists in the medical field are not involved in telemedicine.

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................

5 Find words or expressions in the text that mean:

1 enables (paragraph II)

2 sense (paragraph III)
3 disease (paragraph III)
4 not wishing to do something (paragraph III)