Here’s something we all know unless anyone of us was under a rock in the middle of the ocean and didn’t. The Corona Virus can strike doctors and health care workers too, and going to docs also poses a risk of getting the virus from other patients in the waiting room or in the clinic
Doctors too are innovating in these strange times. In order to
reduce face to face social interaction but also ensure quality treatment is
provided, doctors are now providing medical advice via WhatsApp or via the
phone. This makes a lot of sense as the number of people testing positive is
increasing by the day worldwide as well as in India.
Some health companies have made an aggressive move in this
market to ensure individuals queries are answered on various illnesses. Dr.
Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Health Strategy Officer of Procto tech Pvt ltd said
they were providing assistance to patients by facilitating appointments with
doctors. Doctors across various specialities had tied up with the company to
ensure patients could reach them easily. This was also an attempt to remove
quackery. This service had resulted in approximately two crore individuals
using its services every month. With the outbreak of the coronavirus, there has
been a surge in calls of around eighteen percent week on week from people who
feel they are exhibiting symptoms like a cold or a cough. Providing more
details Dr. Kuruvilla said 53% of all GP eConsults last week were related to
Coronavirus. Most of the queries are from people in the age group of 20 to 30.
He also revealed that queries regarding fever, cough, cold, sore throat and
body ache have increased by 30 percent in the last two weeks. Interestingly
more than 20% of GP consults on the Practo platform are happening from Tier-2/3
cities and peak timings for queries related to fever, cough, and cold are 9 to
12 in the morning and 7 to 9 in the evening.
A group of doctors in
Mumbai have come together on a WhatsApp group and interested parties can send
them details about their medical worries or symptoms and then call them. There
are specific times assigned for each doctor to ensure he or she can still find
time for their private practise. So is anything similar happening in Goa. Dr
Lloyd d’souza who is based in Calangute said he had already started something
similar because he was getting swamped by patients who were suffering from the
common cold and a mild cough. He said “I have sent posts to my patients and
even sent out posters informing them about the symptoms. I have provided my
numbers and have been teleconsulting. It started on Thursday and I have
received three calls so far. I expect a surge from Monday for sure”. He said he
had reduced the functioning of the OPD from Monday but would not shut it
because he had to take care of other patients like diabetics and patients with
cardiac problems. This was he said a preventive shutdown and this would go on
for the next two weeks possibly, this he said would give him an understanding
of how the country was managing it.
Another medical
professional Muriel Siqueira a Paediatrician and Neonatologist was providing
her services worldwide using technology. She said “I am putting to use 35 years
of practise for the benefit of the patient wherever he or she is, free of cost.
It is all very confidential and I am available 24 x 7. I do it on my terms. I
have patients in Panjim too who I assist and it is all very fine”. She works
via referrals and have assisted people dealing with death, or those who are
suicidal. There are also other doctors who believe that online consultation
cannot be done because it was not approved by the Indian Medical Council. Three
doctors who spoke said they would prefer to have the patients come to the
dispensary to ensure; problems did not take place.
Perhaps in time the digital world will play an even bigger role and that will be evident in Goa. This will of course benefit the paying patient for whom it could mean a matter of life.. or otherwise.