General Medicine in Primary Care Telemedicine

How does the general practitioner work?

The examinations performed by a general practitioner

Medical History & Patient Consultation
Assess symptoms, discuss medical history and disease progression, review the medication plan, and clarify potential risks.

Physical Examination
Inspection (observing), palpation (touching), auscultation (listening, e.g., to heart and lungs), percussion (tapping), basic neurological assessment, and examination of wounds or skin changes.

Vital Signs & Basic Diagnostics
Measuring blood pressure, pulse and rhythm, oxygen saturation, body temperature, respiratory rate, performing an ECG, and, if necessary, measuring blood glucose.

Assessment & Decision-Making
Assessing urgency, determining whether the patient can be treated on an outpatient basis or requires referral/admission, planning follow-up, and initiating or adjusting therapy.

Documentation
Recording findings, documenting instructions for nursing staff or the patient, and adding follow-up information.

Medical Devices Beyond the Basic Equipment

In addition to commonly known devices such as blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, or ECGs, primary care also uses other diagnostic instruments that are less frequently mentioned in the context of telemedicine. Some examples include:

Spirometer for pulmonary function testing to assess lung function, for example in respiratory diseases or exercise-related breathing problems.

Electronic stethoscope for transmitting heart and lung sounds to enable remote (telemedical) auscultation.

Otoscope for examining the ear canal and eardrum, particularly in cases of pain, infections, or hearing problems.

Handheld ultrasound device for basic point-of-care assessments, for example of soft tissues, fluid accumulations, or vascular structures.

Why these devices are important for telemedical care

Many complaints encountered in general medicine cannot be assessed solely through conversation or visual inspection.
Devices such as spirometers, stethoscopes, otoscopes, or basic ultrasound units provide additional information that can make the assessment more precise and safer.

For telemedical consultations, this means:

Greater diagnostic depth when trained personnel on site can use these devices.
Closer to an in-person medical examination, especially in cases of respiratory diseases, pain, infections, or unclear clinical findings.
Better decision-making bases, for example whether a patient can be treated on site or should be referred for in-person medical evaluation.

Such diagnostic capabilities are rarely considered in many digital healthcare offerings, yet they play a crucial role in a general practitioner’s daily practice.

GHC Tele–General Practitioner Workspace

A telemedicine-supported general practitioner workstation can—depending on the local setup—integrate a range of diagnostic devices. This includes not only basic instruments but also equipment that enables a more in-depth diagnostic assessment.

Patient monitors: For continuous monitoring of heart rate, oxygen saturation, and additional vital parameters.
Spirometer: For assessing lung function, for example in cases of respiratory symptoms or chronic pulmonary diseases.
Digital examination cameras: e.g., for assessing skin findings, evaluating wounds, or performing basic visual inspections.
Mobile handheld ultrasound devices: For basic assessments of soft tissues, fluid collections, or vascular structures.
Electronic stethoscope: For telemedical auscultation of heart and lung sounds.
Ear and dermatoscopes: For examining the ear canal, eardrum, or dermatological changes.
Digital slit lamps: For examinations in ophthalmological indications.

The Medical Rounding Cart – The Compact Telemedicine Solution

A mobile, fully integrated telemedicine cart that combines modern diagnostics, IT, and communication in one powerful system.

Integrated diagnostics: ECG, spirometry, patient monitoring, electronic stethoscope, digital otoscope, and slit lamp — enabling precise examinations anytime and anywhere.

Real-time telemedicine: Instant data transmission, direct audio/video communication with the physician, and immediate remote access to all findings.

Flexible areas of application: As an extension for medical practices or as an autonomous health station for companies, rural regions, and underserved locations.

General Medicine in Primary Care Telemedicine

How does the general practitioner work?

Medical Devices Beyond the Basic Equipment

Why these devices are important for telemedical care

GHC Tele–General Practitioner Workspace

The Medical Rounding Cart – The Compact Telemedicine Solution

RWE, Medical Offshore Support, and RescueLink – Partners for Health

Any questions? Feel free to get in touch.

GHC Global Health Care GmbH

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