Doctor ’ s visit or not
Seismic . One word that captures the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on our worlds . Not only did we need to adopt new ways of working , but the healthcare profession had to adapt to a whole new way of consulting . Fortunately the Health Professions Council of South Africa ( HPCSA ) was there for it and opened the way for telemedicine which had not been permitted before the pandemic - and therefore excluded from the benefits by most medical aids .
Telehealth is a new-ish concept offering a convenient mechanism for patients to consult with healthcare practitioners they may never have consulted before . “ Over the past months we have found that psychiatry has had the fastest uptake compared to other disciplines . For the most part , though , patients still are reliant on face-to-face consultations ,” says Zukie Lekgothoane , Executive Manager of Stakeholder Relations at PPS Healthcare Administrators . PPS Healthcare Administrators administer medical aid schemes .
“ We believe that in the coming months and with the emphasis on social distancing there will be more members making use of telehealth services to minimise exposure of themselves and their families ,” she adds .
So , what is a telehealth consultation ? It is quite simply a telephonic or online consultation between a doctor and a patient using technology such as Zoom or Google Hangouts .
Telehealth consultations work the same as a physical appointment . You make an appointment and pay for the service once you have “ seen ” the doctor . Make sure that you discuss the payment options at the time of setting the appointment and check with your medical aid if this service is covered by its benefit structure before proceeding .
Here ’ s what you need to know when preparing for your telehealth consultation :
• Make a list of your health issues you want to discuss . Also have any other information you
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