Diagnosis via WhatsApp?
New function should help in the event of illness
Created: 01/03/2022, 4:30 PM
From: Franziska Kaindl
A digital health assistant is supposed to help with the first diagnosis.
© Imago
Type in symptoms on WhatsApp and receive a diagnosis?
What may sound strange should now actually be possible thanks to a new function.
What's behind it.
Anyone who suffers from ailments does not always want to go to the doctor immediately - most of the time, “Dr.
Google “give an initial indication of whether it's something more serious or whether the symptoms might go away on their own.
Only then do some people decide to go to an expert - although self-diagnosis based on knowledge from the Internet does not replace advice from a doctor.
Nevertheless, there is now a health service * via smartphone: "Emma" should be the first point of contact for symptoms of illness.
Health assistant "Emma": This is how the diagnosis should be made using an app
The digital health assistant "Emma" is supposed to offer customers of the international insurer BDAE quick and uncomplicated help if they
notice symptoms of illness while
traveling
.
Because of language barriers or fear of high treatment costs, many people abroad shy away from going to the doctor.
In this case, those affected can simply describe their symptoms to "Emma" and
receive an initial assessment of
where the symptoms are coming from and what further steps should be taken.
This means that users first communicate with an artificial intelligence.
Also interesting
: you need a referral for these specialists.
No new app
needs to be
installed to
use the service
- when registering, users simply select the messenger service they want to use to communicate with "Emma".
This can be WhatsApp or another web chat, for example.
In addition to a diagnosis, there is also the option of
speaking directly to a specialist
.
Communication with the expert should then take place in person or via chat.
Health service does not replace going to the doctor
In general, users should note that a diagnosis by "Emma" alone cannot replace a doctor.
In some cases it might be helpful to get the all-clear quickly, but if symptoms persist, an expert should still be consulted.
(fk) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
