Telemedicine is the virtual patient-doctor interaction through multimedia applications or voice calls. Physicians can create or offer their own telemedicine initiatives for their patients who wish to consult with them during the enhanced community quarantine.
Electronic prescriptions
As per FDA Circular no. 2020-007 dated 17 March 2020, e-prescriptions can now be issued by duly licensed doctors through emails or computer-generated files with electronic signature or aided by a specialized software, provided it includes the patient’s name, name and dose of drugs prescribed, physician’s name, e-signature, license and Professional Tax Receipt (PTR) number. Doctors must keep a record of prescriptions issued in case a verification is needed.
Telemedicine options
Available telemedicine services include:
ROJoson Telemedical Consultation
https://sites.google.com/site/rojosontelemedicalconsultation/home
MyPocketDoctor
https://www.mypocketdoctor.com/?elq_mid=50683&elq_cid=39082
Medifi
https://www.medifi.com/?elq_mid=50683&elq_cid=39082
SeriousMD
https://seriousmd.com/?elq_mid=50683&elq_cid=39082
KonsultaMD
https://www.konsulta.md/?elq_mid=50683&elq_cid=39082
Things to consider in setting-up your virtual clinic:
1. Decide what online platform to use.
Video-based interactions are preferred over voice calls or text messages.
Aside from video and voice calls, Facebook and its Messenger app allow creation of a separate professional page, with dedicated send message button, automatic reply and appointment scheduler.
Virtual meetings may use Viber, Facetime, Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom, or Blackboard Collaborate.
2. Decide the teleconsultation offered – either tele-treatment, monitoring or patient support.
3. Establish clinic hours and length of consultations with appointment system for dedicated periods from healthcare providers.
4. Listed reminders may be prepared in advance and then read or shown as visual guides to patients to provide guidance and taper expectations.
5. There should be an explicit agreement from the patient to record the consultation and accept the limitations through a text message, verbal consent over recorded video, or via an electronically signed file. Both parties must adhere to the Data Privacy Act.
Telemedicine will not fully substitute an in-person visit but is a good alternative for patients unable to visit their physicians during the current situation. With the new temporary norm settling in, let us welcome the role of telecommunication in the practice of the medical profession.
ROJoson Telemedical Consultation ---- how it differs from other telemedical consultations
Approximates my conventional face-to-face consultation
ROJoson Telemedical Consultation approximates the standard ROJoson's face-to-face medical consultation with patients in his ROJoson Medical Clinic.
- Greeting
- Getting to know the patient (personal data)
- Eliciting concern or reason for consultation
- Gathering data to be used in arriving to a primary clinical diagnosis [symptom data; data on previous and past medical treatment; sign data - inspection (looking at the patient's body and pointed area/s of concern with still and video pictures) and physician-guided patient-self-palpation of areas of concern]
- Reviewing patient's previous and past medical records
- Doing medical recording in a stationary which contains primary clinical diagnosis; explanations; recommendations
- Discussing with patient to come out with shared decision-making and informed consent on treatment plan
- Educating patients
A scanned medical record will be given to the patient. Patient shall acknowledge understanding and receipt of the medical record.
ROJoson takes time to interview, ask and gather data meticulously.
He takes time to examine patients meticulously using physician-guiding / patient-relatives-assisting physical examination aided by still pictures and videos to promote accurate findings.
He patiently takes time to teach patients to empower them on how to diagnose medical conditions and diseases and how to do physical examination on themselves which is needed for self-monitoring purposes after the consultation.
He always gives his primary clinical diagnosis followed by clear and extensive explanation, recommendations and discussions on subsequent steps to take and what to expect after the consultation.
He takes time to discuss with patients and relatives to come out with shared decision-making and informed consent on treatment plan.
He provides patients with a digital medical recording of what transpired during the telemedical consultation for them to review and to keep for future reference.
Quality time with relevantly complete and accurate data gathering with clear and extensive explanation and discussion on diagnosis and prognosis with shared decision-making and informed consent on treatment plan with empowerment and with compassion
See samples of actual ROJoson Telemedical Consultation on the side bar.
ROJ@20apr17