LettersHow open, inclusive telemedicine will benefit all Hong Kong patients

Readers discuss the need for an online platform accessible to all healthcare service providers, how to deal with growing antibiotic resistance, and the internet infrastructure on Hong Kong’s outlying islands

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Telemedicine could find broader take-up in Hong Kong if the city invests in a system that is shared and accessible across all healthcare providers. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 2:30pm, 11 Apr 2022

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Imagine the following scenario in a doctor’s office in Hong Kong. “Doctor, you have seven online patients and two colonoscopies to perform today.”

The doctor logs onto the tele-console – three patients with their identities verified are already waiting. He clicks on the first patient and a Mr Chan appears on screen.

Chan has had a colonoscopy during which a polyp was removed. The doctor shares on-screen the colonoscopy and pathology reports, which with Chan’s permission can be accessed and reviewed by his other doctors at anytime.

The doctor orders a follow-up colonoscopy for Chan in five years. At a click, a reminder is sent to the patient for him to add the appointment to his e-calendar. The doctor then clicks a button for the next patient.

A referral letter comes on-screen. This is a Mr Cheung who was just diagnosed with colon cancer. Next to his name is a folder in which are found his colonoscopy and pathology reports. Through the e-health system, the doctor notes that Cheung has diabetes mellitus, hypertension and is taking several medications.