Skype your Doctor - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 08:54:13 pm
content: I don't go to the doctors that often and when I do it is something serious. I try to fend off colds but sometimes I get chest infections and I can see it being good for when you're out and about with nothing so serious but I can see they are planning on replacing your face to face visits to the doctor with Skype to save money.https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6565073/Four-hour-E-waiting-time-target-scrapped.htmlQuoteThis makes me think that they are out of touch:QuoteDoctors are often busy and don't have time for that.Every area differs but I am seeing a lot of places being shut. They are even closing the libraries near me and selling parks off. I know people who are very bored around here and the last thing they want to do is watch television all day whether it is in the form of conference cooking lessons or gardening. Oh yes they didn't say how they are doing to 'dish' these prescriptions out so I assume it'll be on your phone.Quality of life? By looking at screen all the time.I don't really want to use the screen anymore than I have to to visit the local doctor or hospital that is down the road when I am trouble and in real need of help.I think they may want to shut all the little GP surgeries down. It is always good to get out than be stuck starting at a screen all day.https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/millions-of-patients-to-see-doctor-by-skype-under-nhs-plan-jj9fwmlk6Quote"Outdated" as an excuse to stop face to face visits with your doctor.Your opinions please.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 09:31:56 pm
content: If they're using it for medical consultations, they should be using something secure like VSee, not Skype. End to end encrypted, no Microsoft / Google snooping!I use the free version for talking to the family. If it's good enough for the ISS astronauts to talk to their families then it's good enough for me! Also used by US medical facilities, aid agencies etc. No crap targeted advertising either.https://www.vsee.com/

author: Buriedcode
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 09:38:29 pm
content: I make a point to not trust a dailymail link. I doubt they will stop people actually visiting a doctors, but simply offer a skype consultation for cases that are not serious. You assume that because you only visit the doctor for "serious problems" (in which case, surely a A&E would be more appropriate?) that everyone else must have the same reasons. But there are medication reviews, repeat prescription requests, check-ups on monitoring vague symptoms etc.. These generally do not require physical contact and so could lend themselves to video conferencing.Remember, the dailyfail can and will cherry pick statements to try and scare their middle-aged readers into thinking their way of life is under threat. It isn't.

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 09:40:23 pm
content: Sadly, the $$$ will rule the end of the day...I believe in this medical context, real tangible human face to face contact serves a valuable need which will soon be lost to everyone except those who can afford the top-notch private treatment.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 09:48:37 pm
content: I've no problem with remote consultations when appropriate. Our local surgery offers telephone appointments, quicker for the GP, quicker for me. It's just an extension to that. I can obviously also book a face to face appointment if I want.P.S. I also think the Daily Fail is a useless 'rag'.

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 10:05:46 pm
content: Quote from: Buriedcode on January 09, 2019, 09:38:29 pmI have noticed articles do sound scarier in the Daily Mail. Sometimes when they write outrageous articles like gender blaming or hating and the junk science, they put "Daily Mail reporter" but they seem to reveal the name on the online article.I hope they don't stop people from visiting doctors.Oops "serious problems" I mean't when I have not so life threatening issues like a serious chest infection.When I book there is normally over a week or so waiting. When they are really busy on the phone they might give me a prescription from last time that worked for like a chest infection that can only be prescribed. I don't want to go A&E and wait hours for a prescription but then I suppose that's when conferencing might come in handy as an option.I think it maybe good in addition to existing services for checkup and monitoring and as a means of convenient communications with your doctor.

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2019, 10:59:58 pm
content: I personally wouldn't want to use video conferencing. I don't like talking to people who aren't there (similarly why I don't care much for the telephone). I also don't own a webcam. There are also confidentiality issues which may arise when talking about medical problems to the doctor in your house or office.Call me backwards if you want, but last year I started seeing a new doctor. This one doesn't even have a computer in his consulting room. I thought it was quite pleasant getting to talk to a doctor who wasn't fixated on a computer screen. His handwritten prescriptions don't seem to take much longer to produce than a typical typed one either.You may have heard of a service called GP at Hand which the NHS has piloted for video consultations. They have been criticised for only registering young and healthy patients. I believe the restriction has now been lifted, but they tried to discourage patients such as the elderly, frail, pregnant, psychiatrically-interesting, etc. In my opinion, these are the kind of patients who could benefit most from a video appointment, especially if their illness makes it difficult for them to attend the surgery. Of course, plenty will still prefer to see someone in person, but a video appointment could certainly be a useful option.I can see the need to reduce unnecessary hospital appointments - Back in 2011 I had an X-Ray and an MRI scan. I had to wait over a month for my followup appointment, spend over £4 in bus fare to attend, waited nearly an hour in three different waiting rooms, only to be told by the doctor 'nothing wrong with you, bugger off'.It would probably have been easier/cheaper for them to send a letter saying 'There is not much to see from these scans so we don't think we need to see you again but please make an appointment if you would like to discuss it further.' It certainly would have been easier and cheaper for me.

author: Buriedcode
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2019, 12:50:43 am
content: Quote from: MrMobodies on January 09, 2019, 10:05:46 pmJust re-read my response, and apologies if I came off a bit strong - I have friends who read (and believe) the DailyMail so I'm almost constantly primed to try and counter its articles, so I generally just sound angry :/Yeah, I'm somewhat lucky, in that I tend to get an appointment within a couple of weeks, but some have to wait a lot longer, which gives the impression to some that its like this everywhere. I guess the media perhaps plays up any fears that one won't get an appointment, and also because its "technology", like somehow video conferencing is new. I'm sure they will trial it and find out what kinds of appointments it suits and what kinds where GP's really do need to be there in person. In my experience GP's are a smart bunch, and almost always err on the side of caution, and won't settle of skype if they feel they need to examine someone.What I do worry about though is, like with everything government, the implementation. That and upper management thinking that apps are magic.

author: Inverted18650
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2019, 01:51:15 am
content: In the U.S., I now see my shrink via web only. I cannot get a walk in, we use a secure "Skype-like" government App and that's my visit.

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2019, 05:50:39 pm
content: QuoteSocial Prescribing has been quite a thing here. They started a scheme here in Rotherham and apparently it has been very successful, and has been replicated elsewhere. I don't think the doctor has to actually do much for it, I think they just refer you to the scheme, and you see someone from Voluntary Action Rotherham who will in turn try and refer you to community groups, advice/advocacy services etc etc.I've not used the scheme myself though so I can't comment any further. It doesn't appeal to me, but I can see how some people would benefit.Seehttps://www.varotherham.org.uk/social-prescribing-service/