Virtual Consultation = Teleconsultation: What health problems can be solved online?

Teleconsultation has become a valuable tool in the healthcare field, offering increased accessibility and convenience for patients and healthcare professionals alike. However, not all reasons for consultation are suitable for this form of consultation. Here's an analysis of the most common reasons for consultation and their relevance to teleconsultation.

Reasons for consultation suitable for teleconsultation

1.follow-up consultations requested by the physician

- Patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or asthma can benefit from follow-up consultations via teleconsultation. This enables doctors to monitor health parameters, adjust treatments and provide advice without requiring a physical visit at each consultation...

2.minor health problems

- Minor ailments such as colds, simple urinary tract infections, sinusitis, conjunctivitis or skin rashes can often be diagnosed and treated via teleconsultation. Doctors can prescribe medication or recommend home treatments.

3.mental health problems

- Consultations for disorders such as anxiety, depression or stress without physical symptoms (chest pain, abdominal pain, etc.) can be effectively carried out online with mental health professionals.

4Dermatological problems

- Many skin problems can be assessed by teleconsultation, often using photos sent in advance. The resolution of the photos is generally much higher than that of webcam images.

5.red eyes

- Minor eye problems, such as redness of the eyes without pain or impaired vision, can often be assessed remotely.

6.sexual health

- Consultations for symptom-free screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and hormonal contraception are well suited to teleconsultation.

7.travel medicine

- Travel advice and prescriptions can be provided virtually

8.chronic problems monitored at home

- Chronic conditions such as hypertension, lipid management, thyroid disorders and some forms of diabetes can be monitored remotely using home devices and laboratory tests. Some test items will still require an in-person consultation.

9.analysis of test results and specialist reports

- Discussing the results of laboratory tests, imaging studies or specialist reports can be done efficiently online.

10.medical advice and education

- Consultations for general medical advice, information on disease prevention or instructions on managing certain health conditions are well suited to teleconsultation.

Reasons for Consultation Less Suitable for Teleconsultation

Health problems that cannot be treated without a physical examination in person are not suitable for virtual care. For example:

1.medical emergencies

- Situations requiring immediate medical attention, such as chest pain, breathing difficulties, heavy bleeding or stroke symptoms, must be treated in person. Teleconsultation is not suitable for managing these emergencies.

2.chest pain

- Chest pain often requires in-person evaluation to rule out serious conditions such as myocardial infarction.

3.shortness of breath

- Shortness of breath can be a sign of serious conditions such as heart or lung disease, requiring physical evaluation.

4.loss of vision or hearing

- Sudden or unexplained vision or hearing loss should be assessed in person to identify potentially serious causes.

5.sudden weakness or torpor

- These symptoms may indicate a stroke or other serious condition requiring immediate evaluation.

6.ear pain

- Ear pain requires a physical examination for an accurate diagnosis.

7.persistent cough

- A persistent cough requires a physical examination and potentially further tests for an accurate diagnosis.

8.abdominal or digestive problems

- Abdominal or gastrointestinal symptoms often require a physical examination to determine the exact cause.

9.muscle and joint damage

- Musculoskeletal injuries often require a physical examination to assess the severity of the injury.

10.complex symptoms

- Complex symptoms such as dizziness, loss of consciousness or undiagnosed chronic pain may require physical tests or investigations that cannot be carried out via teleconsultation.

11.major consultations in general (except mental health)

- With the exception of mental health, major consultations that require a thorough and complete assessment must generally be carried out in person, to ensure adequate care.

12.periodic health check

- Health check-ups often require a physical assessment for a complete analysis of the patient's state of health.

13.referral to a specialist

- Before referring a patient to a specialist, a full clinical assessment must be carried out by the attending physician, which may require a face-to-face consultation.

14.medication renewals

- Medication renewals without a medical reassessment within the last year do not lend themselves to teleconsultation, as an update of the patient's state of health is essential. We can only help out a patient for a few months, while he or she consults face-to-face, but the pharmacist can also do this.

Conclusion

Teleconsultation offers great flexibility and convenience for many types of medical consultation. However, it is essential to understand its limitations and to know when a face-to-face consultation is necessary to ensure appropriate care. As a French-born physician and medical director who completed my schooling and practiced in France before settling in Quebec, I want my patients to be able to take full advantage of the benefits of teleconsultation while receiving the appropriate care for their specific needs. For more information or to book an appointment, visit allodocteur.ca.