REMOTE GPS
Calling all Doctors
As waiting lists grow, how can technology ease the burden on healthcare institutions.
The (e)Doctor will see you now That access is something that health
When we talk about healthcare these days it’s usually in the guise of what we can do for ourselves. But while the politicians play games with the health service, the one constant is that we will all need a doctor one day; no matter how many times you go to the gym Ken! Yet in a digital age where people are sharing birthday messages over Facetime, we are still relying on a doctor’s surgery to make sure our coughs aren’t an infection. That may seem archaic and it’s always easier to be the innovator than the practitioner, but we have been talking about this idea for years, as Dr. William Wong, a Consultant General Practitioner at Fitzrovia Medical Clinic explains. “The idea of eConsults and remote healthcare has indeed been around for quite some time, but the implementation and widespread adoption of these concepts have proven to be quite challenging. “This is especially true for the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, which heavily relies on traditional, in-person doctor visits despite the ever-growing waiting lists. However, the potential benefits of eConsulting cannot be ignored, and finding ways to overcome these obstacles is crucial in improving access to healthcare for patients.”
institutions are facing at the moment. While doctors appear to be unavailable for weeks, Accident and Emergency departments become periodical hubs for all ailments and a breeding ground for opportunistic viruses like the norovirus. So if the incumbent competition to eConsults is as bad as the media would have us believe, then why haven’t they taken off yet? Wong added that providers need to change tact when convincing patients to adopt the solution. “eConsulting involves using digital platforms and technologies to connect patients with healthcare professionals remotely. Patients can access these platforms through their smartphones, tablets, or computers, and can communicate with doctors via secure messaging systems or video calls. This allows patients to seek medical advice and receive consultations without having to physically visit a doctor’s office or hospital. “To convince patients to embrace online consultancy, it is important to highlight the convenience and accessibility it offers. With eConsults, patients can skip the long waiting times and the need to travel to a healthcare facility, making it incredibly convenient, particularly for those with mobility issues or living in remote areas. “Additionally, eConsults can provide patients with quicker access to medical advice, enabling earlier intervention and potentially preventing more serious health problems down the line.” Proof of Consulting As convincing as these arguments are, eConsults still appear to be a theoretical solution at the moment. However Wong says there have been “several successful examples of eConsulting in practice,” adding “in the United States, the Veterans Health Administration has
Dr. William Wong Consultant General Practitioner
fitzroviahospital.com
Patients can access these platforms through their smartphones, tablets, or computers, and can communicate with doctors
via secure messaging systems or video calls.
36
Powered by FlippingBook