Letters | As coronavirus patient numbers rise, telemedicine by primary care doctors can help relieve hospital workloads
- South Korea’s decision to turn to telemedicine has allowed primary care doctors to serve Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms, providing a boost to the health system
We face a disaster on a scale not seen since World War II, and health care policies in each country are being put to the test because of Covid-19.
In such a disaster, large medical centres play a key role. However, behind the scenes of an all-out war, small-scale responses, such as the personal care provided by regional clinics, are also critical.
In South Korea, when a coronavirus patient visits the clinic, it is immediately shut down for disinfecting, and doctors, nurses and other employees have to quarantine themselves for 14 days after undergoing examinations. Given this reality, which doctor would dare to do coronavirus patient care?
As a result, patients with chronic illnesses, such as hypertension – who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 and told to self-quarantine – would not be able to get the prescription they need.
In response, the Korean government has temporarily relaxed the restriction on telemedicine consultations. The move has been long overdue.