Teleconsultation is growing in popularity in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram counties during the pandemic.
Many patients who have had surgery in the past in cities like Hyderabad or Chennai find it convenient to speak to their doctors over the phone for regular checkups without having to visit them in person.
Experts say that teleconsultation will gain even more momentum in the future as it saves valuable time for both doctors and patients, but it also has its own drawbacks.
“Many non-COVID services have been shut down in multiple hospitals and doctors have been reluctant to put themselves at risk. With the exception of those directly involved in the treatment of COVID, others show little interest in interacting directly with their patients, ”said a doctor in Vizianagaram.
Kuppili Venkata Ramprasad, the Indian Medical Association-AP Volunteer Joint Secretary The Hindu that the teleconsultation would give patients access to specialist doctors in Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
Senior Orthopedic Surgeon S. Rajendra Chakravarthy said patients should be able to properly explain their problem in order to be properly assessed by the doctor. “The teleconsultation saves valuable time and helps doctors to give the right advice on difficult hospital transfers. But patients shouldn’t have to rely entirely on phone and video calls as their exact health is only known through direct interaction with doctors, ”said Dr. Chakravarthy.
Neonatologist and pediatrician Merugu Anusha believed that video calling has become a preferred option for now due to the risk of COVID transmission.
“Pediatricians need to make sure infants and children are protected from COVID. Parents are also reluctant to take their children to hospital for evaluation. With that in mind, teleconsultation is a great way to get medical advice from doctors, ”she said.