The experience of virtual clinics, where medical and health consultations are given by the doctors to the patient through telephone or video calls, has proven very successful in Qatar during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking to local Arabic daily Arrayah, a number of doctors stressed that the country has efficient infrastructure and sophisticated technology to continue this until the pandemic is over and even beyond this, especially with some categories of patients whose case do not require direct and physical presence at the hospital or the clinics.
This is applicable in the case of those suffering from chronic diseases but with stable health, and need follow-up consultations.
The doctors pointed out that around 50% of the cases that frequent the outpatient clinics could be handled remotely through phone or video calls.
They estimated that such calls could provide up to 70% of the same efficiency of the actual physical visit of the patient in the qualified cases. They further pointed out that this approach is more convenient and time-saving for both the patient and the doctor. In addition, it could make the outpatient clinics give services to more patients at less cost and time.
Abdulelah al-Adimi, senior consultant urologist, said that the virtual clinics have proven effective in both Qatar and other parts of the world throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and it is very important to continue it as the government health and medical facilities across the country have all the necessary tools and infrastructure. He added that doctors could decide whether the case in question could be handled through remote consultation or physical visit.
Dr Ibrahim al-Janahi, a professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Weill-Cornell Medicine in Qatar, said that the experience of Covid-19 has proven that remote consultation is very practical and successful in offering due medical and health care for many patients, while saving the involved time and effort. He said that judging from his experience in the medical field around 50% of the cases who frequent the outpatient clinics could be handled effectively remotely through the phone or video calls. He stressed that there is rapid development in this field and it would see more developments in the future as the involved technology develops.
Dr Mohamed Atwa, medical director of Doha Clinic Hospital, said that this approach is effective in many cases that do not require immediate clinical examinations, and it can be further employed to address some of the troubles and difficulties in the medical and health sector, such as reducing the number of patients on the waiting lists for appointments.