Letters | How 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
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.
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.