Telehealth is the delivery of health services using technology.
It can be as simple as receiving an email or text reminder that you need to go for recommended screenings and vaccinations; or logging your food intake onto an app for review by a medical professional. In the case of Doctor Anywhere, we offer teleconsultation services with a wide range of GPs, mental health experts and specialists, so you can see a doctor anytime, anywhere just from your phone.
We invite Dr Rachel Chin, anchor doctor at DA Clinic Group, to answer all your burning questions about telehealth in Singapore and what to expect during a video consultation.
Common questions around Telehealth
What common conditions do you see over teleconsultation?
Many types of health conditions can be treated over teleconsultation. For example, suitable conditions for video consultation with a doctor include:
- Treatment for common illnesses, such as the flu or a cough
- Prescriptions for contraceptives
- Check-ups and medication refill for chronic disease management
What do you need for a teleconsultation with a doctor?
All you need is:
- A form of photo identification, such as your NRIC
- The Doctor Anywhere app downloaded on your phone, signed in with your own DA account
Before the call starts, you’ll also need to fill in a short triage questionnaire on your condition, to help the doctor serve you better. Apart from this, a teleconsultation is just like a physical one. Be ready to share with the doctor your symptoms and how you’re feeling!
Additionally, you can also take photos of any specific areas you’d like to show the doctor, such as a rash. The DA app has a chat function that allows you to send over pictures to the doctor, during the consultation.
How can a doctor accurately diagnose me over a video call?
A video call is not much different from seeing a doctor face to face, as the doctor will still be asking you questions to find out more about your health condition. The key difference is in place of a physical examination, you are prompted by the doctor to describe your symptoms during a teleconsultation.
However, more important than a physical examination is a good medical history. A medical history is a record of a person’s health, such as your symptoms, previous health and medical conditions, and allergies. With a good medical history, your doctor can accurately diagnose you and treat your illness accordingly. As such, most common acute illnesses can be seen over teleconsultation.
If the doctor assesses that your condition is better suited for a physical consultation instead, they will refer you to a clinic for further check-up. Should this happen, you won’t need to pay for your teleconsultation session on Doctor Anywhere.
What are the benefits of telehealth and video consultations?
There are many benefits of telehealth, with the main ones being:
- Convenience
With telehealth, you can see a doctor anytime you need, anywhere you are. Doctor Anywhere takes this further by offering round-the-clock, 24/7 consultations. This is especially useful if you’re feeling too ill to step out of your house or don’t want to visit a clinic, especially during a pandemic.
- Medication Delivery
In addition to 24/7 video consultations, Doctor Anywhere also provides free medication delivery service, within three hours of your video call. You can choose your delivery time across the day, for whichever timing best suits your schedule.
- No Waiting Time
We spend a lot of time travelling to a clinic and then waiting for our turn with the doctor. Telehealth cuts out this waiting time entirely. With the availability of GPs on Doctor Anywhere’s platform, you’ll be able to see a doctor within 5 minutes of requesting for a consultation.
Telehealth services make it easier for us to keep healthy, by bringing healthcare directly to us. Through Doctor Anywhere, you can speak to a doctor and even trained mental health professionals to receive the care you need.
If you’re feeling unwell, stay at home and make an appointment to see a doctor over the DA app instead. Our doctors are available 24/7 to help you feel better.
