In some parts of the world, physicians still make house calls, but this practice is becoming rare. Today, most patients either go to a clinic or hospital, make a quick trip to a pharmacy for instant relief, or stay at home and consult with caregivers via telemedicine.

Telemedicine means exactly as it sounds — a medical service delivered via telephone or any communications platform. It sounds like a new development in medicine, but it’s really not. While most people still prefer to go to the hospital to receive treatment, the many advancements in telemedicine are beginning to change this.

Administering medical care electronically makes a lot of sense. It’s a practical way for patients to receive care and for doctors to provide it. Advances in telemedicine, a type of medical practice that takes place without the doctor and patient sharing the same physical space, is increasing in popularity, and rightly so.