26 September, 2017
Doctor Anywhere, a virtual consultation mobile application, launched earlier this month. Virtual consultation apps enable patients to have virtual consultations with doctors via video calls, and allow doctors to prescribe medication, refer patients to specialists and issue Medical Certificates ("MC"). In particular, medical professionals note that such virtual consultations are suitable for straightforward ailments, such as headaches, diarrhea and skin rashes.
Doctor Anywhere is part of a growing trend towards telemedicine. Another similar app, MyDoc, allows users to chat with Guardian pharmacists and enquire whether medications are stocked in certain stores. The national technology agency for healthcare, Integrated Health Information Systems, also launched a national video consultation platform for healthcare services in April, which allows multi-party video conferencing, file sharing and viewing of medical reports.
Advocates say that telemedicine works especially well in Singapore because:
(1) Telemedicine is convenient and allows users to save time and cost of travelling;
(2) Land is scarce and medical facilities are oversubscribed;
(3) Singapore has an ageing population, and the elderly or disabled may not be able to easily access healthcare; and
(4) Telemedicine facilitates outpatient care, allowing doctors to obtain accurate medical information.
However, telemedicine currently faces a few limitations. For example, medical professionals are quick to add that physical examination of the patient remains a necessary part of the consultation process. Furthermore, e-MCs have yet to be accepted by all companies.
For more information, you can read the full article here.
For further information, please contact:
Andy Leck, Principal, Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow
andy.leck@bakermckenzie.com
