Teleconsultation
Introduction
Teleconsultation is a new way of conducting medical consultations remotely during the pandemic to reduce the frequency of clinic visits. The teleconsultation service in our department has been established since April 2021 and has been active until now. The service generally caters to blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring, continuation of care, and treatment for established medical conditions for our existing patients in our clinic. Talk to our healthcare providers today if you wish to be enrolled in teleconsultation.
Pictures show a doctor conducting a teleconsultation in the RUKA clinic (consent was taken from both the doctor and the patient)
Questions & Answers:
Q1: What is teleconsultation?
A1: Teleconsultation, is a healthcare service that allows patients to consult their doctors remotely using video and audio over the internet.
Q2: How does teleconsultation work?
A2: Teleconsultation involves scheduling an appointment with a healthcare provider through a secure online platform. During the appointment, you can discuss your health concerns, receive medical advice, and even get prescriptions if needed. Click this link to learn more about teleconsultation.
Q3: Is teleconsultation safe and private?
A3: Yes, teleconsultation platforms adhere to strict security measures to protect your privacy and personal health information. Communication is encrypted, ensuring your data remains confidential.
Q4: Who is eligible for teleconsultation?
A4: Teleconsultation is suitable for chronic condition follow-ups such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and medication management. However, emergencies, acute symptoms, and complex physical exams might require a physical consultation and clinic visit.
Q5: Are the doctors conducting the teleconsultation qualified doctor?
A5: All doctors who are conducting the teleconsultation services are qualified doctors.
Q6: What is the cost of teleconsultation?
A6: Rm30 for paying patients, RM100 for foreigners, it is free if you are a government servant, government-dependent, or pensioner.
Q7: What equipment do I need for teleconsultation?
A7: You'll need a device with a camera and microphone, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer, along with a reliable internet connection.
Q8: Can I get prescriptions and medical advice through teleconsultation?
A8: Yes, doctors can provide prescriptions, treatment plans, and medical advice through teleconsultation, just like an in-person visit
Q9: What happens if I need a physical examination or tests?
A9: For physical exams and tests, your doctors might guide you on what you can do at home such as home blood pressure monitoring or home blood sugar monitoring, or suggest an in-person visit to nearby clinics or come back to our clinic.
Q10: How do I schedule a teleconsultation appointment?
A10: To make the first teleconsultation appointment, you need to come to the hospital first to get consent. After that, you can use teleconsultation for the subsequent appointments, provided you have been seen in person in the clinic at least once in 12 12-month period.
Q11: Is teleconsultation for children and elderly?
A11: Yes, teleconsultation is suitable for people of all ages. For children, consent will be taken from the parents or guardians of the children.
Q12: What if I encounter technical difficulties during teleconsultation?
A12: Technical issues are unavoidable sometimes. It's a good idea to test your equipment beforehand to minimize the chances of issues. If the issue persists and makes the teleconsultation difficult to continue, we will terminate the teleconsultation and proceed with rescheduling your appointment.
Q13: How does teleconsultation handle emergencies?
A13: Teleconsultation is not suitable for emergencies. If you experience a medical emergency, it's important to seek immediate in-person medical attention.
Q14: What are the operating hours for teleconsultation?
A14: Our teleconsultation opening hours are from 0900-1230H, Tuesday to Thursday only.
Q15: Can I receive medical certificates or sick notes through teleconsultation?
A15: We are unable to provide medical certificates or time-slip for teleconsultation.
Q16: Are language and cultural barriers addressed during teleconsultation?
A16: Doctors are able to conduct in English or Bahasa Malaysia to ensure effective communication and understanding.
Q17: What are the advantages of teleconsultation over traditional in-person visits?
A17: Teleconsultation offers benefits such as convenience, reduced travel time, minimized waiting time, and exposure to infection.
Q18: How to register Single Sign On? (The platform to self-check in for teleconsultation)
A18: Watch this video here or scan the QR code below.
Q19: What is Telehealth in UMMC?
A19: Watch this video or scan the QR code below.
