Have you ever had an online medical consultation?
In recent years, with the development of technology, internet healthcare has entered the public’s view and has gradually developed. After internet healthcare was included in medical insurance, public hospitals have also begun to accelerate their online integration.
According to statistics from the National Health Commission, as of the first half of 2021, there were over 1,600 internet hospitals in China, with more than 7,700 secondary and higher-level hospitals providing online services, and the coverage rate of remote medical services in counties (districts, cities) in China has reached over 90%.
As a new phenomenon, internet healthcare has also brought many questions to patients.
What are the advantages of online consultations?
Which patients are suitable for online consultations?
Will online consultations increase the workload of doctors?
What are the advantages of online consultations?
➽ Internet hospitals play an important role in further diverting patients, allowing for more precise offline medical treatment, and reducing the number of visits to hospitals, which helps improve diagnostic and treatment efficiency and reduce the risk of cross-infection.
➽ Internet diagnosis and treatment is not merely a simple extension of offline medical services; it places higher demands on the service content and safety quality of doctors and institutions.
In recent years, regulations such as the “Internet Diagnosis and Treatment Management Measures (Trial)” and the “Internet Diagnosis and Treatment Supervision Rules (Trial)” have been introduced, encouraging medical institutions to apply internet technologies while gradually clarifying the regulatory requirements for internet diagnosis and treatment in terms of medicine, healthcare, and technology, making it more convenient and standardized.
➽ Internet hospitals affiliated with physical hospitals are developing towards comprehensive management of patients throughout their illness, arranging subsequent comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services based on the patient’s condition.
In other words, internet hospitals supported by offline medical systems can provide accurate and complete laboratory tests and in-hospital treatments, and can leverage the advantages of physical hospitals to achieve remote consultations, remote ward rounds, and remote referrals, ensuring comprehensive medical support.
Who is suitable for medical consultations through online platforms?
Currently, patients with clear and simple medical needs such as symptom pre-diagnosis, follow-up for chronic diseases, specialized disease management, postoperative rehabilitation, and periodic treatment are all suitable.
Most internet hospitals have opened electronic prescriptions and delivery services, which are particularly convenient for patients needing medication refills or adjustments, especially for those with mobility issues or transportation difficulties.
With the establishment of elderly-friendly medical institutions, the advantages of internet hospitals will be further realized, allowing relatives of the elderly to assist with online consultations and business transactions through internet platforms, reducing the difficulties elderly patients face when seeking medical care.
Will online consultations increasethe workload of doctors?
Doctors conducting online consultations do indeed occupy their spare time, but through internet hospitals, understanding patients’ conditions and clarifying treatment needs through online pre-diagnosis can enhance the quality and efficiency of offline consultations.
In fact, some patients with mild symptoms or those who only need to interpret test results may not need to visit offline clinics, which not only frees up offline resources but also avoids ineffective offline medical visits, alleviating the issue of “difficult registration” in offline settings.
Source: Life Times People’s DailyImage source: Internet, non-commercial use, only for popular science dissemination materials. If there is any infringement, please contact for deletion.Previous Reviews01 Continuous rain makes you feel oily and heavy; you may need to dispel dampness!02 How to use ultraviolet disinfection correctly?03 Don’t sleep with too high a pillow; beware of neck strain!
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