Medical advice services – pros and cons
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Business Today, India, today published a pressrelease on “Medical advice around the clock” services that have started in India. When I read the article two statements raised concerns with me;
1. “In almost 70 per cent of cases, physical presence is not needed,” says Dr Vinay Aggarwal, National Head, Indian Medical Association.
2. Ultimately we are only providing medical advice,” says Dr Singal. “The final responsibility rests with the doctor who is treating the patient
The statement that physical presence is not needed in 70% of the cases, must be incomplete. 70% of what cases? I have a hard time believeing that 70% of all patients seeking help in an ER, outpatient clinic, private clinic etc. could do it without physical presence.
If that would be the case, the careproviders could just publish their e-mail adress for the patients and the Doctors could reply by mail to their queries in 70% of all cases. And imagine the waitrooms, how empty they would be ………
I still believe that a Doctor in order to be able to give correct advice and diagnosis, need to see the physical patient and be able to examine and touch the patient.
The second comment worries me even more, they only provide advice, the final responsibility is still with the treating Doctor. So what does this service then add value too, if the patient still has to visit the treating Doctor?!? And how confusing for the patient who might receive two contradictionary advice as the electronic doctor and the treating doctor base their advice-assesment on two totally different material. And how frustrating for the treating Doctor, who gives advice based on the entire patient history, tests, face-to-face meetings etc.
And how would this be good for the patient, who has to pay for the subscription in addition to paying the treating Doctor????
I agree that second opinions from specialists is good to have in a country where they are not readily available everywhere. But they should be between professionals, not between a patient and an electronic Doctor, who does not have access to the whole picture and who is not taking responsibility for his advice.