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convenient , however , it can also misguide the patient and lead to medical errors . Doctors must be aware of which patients can be consulted via a teleconsult platform and which patients must be seen in person .
Importance of virtual pre-consultation A perfect blend of both digital and traditional methods of treatment would be a virtual Pre-Consult between the patient and the clinic doctor before making an appointment to visit the clinic . Doctors would be able to take a medical history of the patient before consulting the patient in the clinic . This helps doctors shorten the duration of the physical consultation as well as control traffic in the clinic , especially during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Telemedicine also could be used to “ virtually ” triage the patient and ensure the patient gets the right treatment at the right place . Doctors able to do triaging via virtual consultation could determine whether to consult the patient earlier or do an E-referral for the patient to see an appropriate specialist or centre , depending on the condition of the patient . If COVID-19 is suspected , the patient could be re-routed to a proper centre instead of going to the clinic , which will avoid exposing the clinic staff and the other patients .
Dr Google vs cyberchondria With the emergence of AI symptom checkers , people have been turning to their mobile devices to check their medical symptoms before deciding whether to go to a clinic or buy medication over the counter . While it can be a convenient tool for a quick solution for minor symptoms , especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns , it can also cause unnecessary panic or “ cyberchondria ”.
Cyberchondria is a new transdiagnostic digital compulsive syndrome . It has been described as behaviour characterised by excessive online searching for medical information that is associated with increasing levels of health anxiety . Ever since the current pandemic started , thousands of pieces of new information about the novel coronavirus emerge almost daily . This excess of information about COVID-19 has only worsened confusion , and apprehension , about having the coronavirus and has led to excessive health-related googling — the phobia of falling prey to coronavirus , coupled with depression and anxiety .
A wise guru once said : “ Sugar is essential for health , but if too much , it ’ s detrimental for health .”
Same goes for digital health consumption . One should recognise the limitations of the digital touch in the healthcare system . Not everyone is accustomed to using digital healthcare , and not everyone benefits from it . Doctors and digital platform providers must address these limitations and guide the digital healthcare consumer appropriately .
Dr Rashid Khan is an emergency medical officer at Cardio Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur ( CVSKL ).
64 NOVEMBER 2020 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com