There is opportunity when there is danger. The COVID-19 epidemic has accelerated the development and application of technology, creating a lot of "remote +", such as remote education, remote business, remote office, and even "telemedicine" that has benefited many citizens .
After this "epidemic", the use of telemedicine has increased significantly; Chief Executive Li Jiachao's "Policy Address" announced last month set out one of the goals of public medical care, which is the wider use of telemedicine and the introduction of new drug delivery. Delivery service model to improve patient experience.
This is exactly the general direction of the development of the Hospital Authority (HA).
Written by: Dr Tang Yiu-keng, Director of Network Services, Hospital Authority
With the advancement of science and technology, seeking medical treatment is no longer limited to face-to-face consultation.
Under the epidemic, telemedicine without leaving home is becoming more and more popular. It can not only relieve the overcrowded situation of hospitals or clinics, reduce the risk of cross-infection of patients, but also solve the problem of patients living in remote areas or with limited mobility. diagnosis problems.
In the process of developing telemedicine, what I feel most deeply is that many friends and patients around me were initially skeptical, or even "splashing cold water", and gradually received more and more positive responses, and even asked to strengthen the network in the seven major networks. Telemedicine services.
The responses and demands of the public have further pushed us to further enhance the quality and efficiency of telemedicine by enhancing the technological elements.
Over the past two years, the HA has provided a variety of telemedicine services to over 45,000 people, including doctor inspections for over 20,000 people, online outreach services for over 14,000 people, and telemedicine services for 5,000 and 6,000 people respectively. Medical, as well as nurse clinics, psychiatric day hospital services, etc.
Telemedicine not only plays a role in the epidemic, we hope to use this opportunity to enhance and promote telemedicine, strengthen drug delivery facilities, and provide diversified services such as remote consultation, remote monitoring, and remote support to facilitate patients.
The HA cooperated with the Tai O Rural Committee in August this year to help the elderly living in Tai O to receive inspections, saving the elderly from the hassle of traveling long distances to and from the hospital for follow-up consultations; the HA is arranging with the Mui Wo Rural Committee to launch a similar plan .
Remote Consultation - In July this year, we provided remote video consultation services for patients with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Medicines were delivered to the home the next day. The consultation, medicine and delivery fees were all free, and the public responded positively.
In addition, in August this year, we cooperated with the Tai O Rural Committee to help the elderly living in Tai O receive inspections, avoiding the hassle of traveling long distances to Tung Chung North Lantau Hospital for specialist follow-up consultations.
We are also planning to launch a similar plan with the Mui Wo Township Committee. In the long run, we hope to strengthen the promotion of inter-specialty teleconsultation and popularize telemedicine to every specialist outpatient clinic to benefit more patients.
The HA will also strengthen the drug delivery service and cooperate with the remote consultation service to provide patients with greater convenience and flexibility.
Remote Monitoring - Apart from doctor inspections, it is also very important for medical staff to monitor patients' clinical data remotely.
Taking diabetes as an example, medical staff can provide remote blood glucose monitoring services for diabetics. By continuously monitoring patient data, calling patients to give encouragement and guidance, and providing timely interventional treatment to reduce dangerous situations.
Remote Support - Allied health professionals can design different rehabilitation training for patients.
For example, a nurse designed an online "brain friend live broadcast room" for the parents-in-law of the geriatric psychiatric day hospital. During the severe epidemic, nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists were almost every day for all friends suffering from dementia. "Online class", through cognitive game training, enhance their self-confidence.
We hope that in the eyes of patients, telemedicine is not limited to consultation services, but will help improve the patient's self-care ability in the long run, and allow patients and caregivers to acquire more health and treatment information through distance education seminars.
One thing I would like to stress is that the HA's development of telemedicine is to give patients more choices, not to replace in-person consultations, nor to see doctors completely.
Although the quality of telemedicine is no different from traditional face-to-face consultation, we understand that telemedicine always has certain limitations. For example, patients with serious diseases or high-risk patients may not be suitable for remote consultation.
The HA will further promote telemedicine and smart hospitals, strengthen the application of technology in wards, outpatient clinics and drug processing, provide convenient and high-quality services to patients, and increase the volume of public healthcare services to promote sustainable development.
"Hong Kong 01" "01 Clinic", in cooperation with the Hospital Authority, publishes a column "Garden Tour" written by medical staff every Wednesday.
Apricot Forest.
"Xinglin" comes from the story of Dong Feng, a famous doctor in the Three Kingdoms period. Later generations praised medical care as "Xinglin". Five people from Xinglin from the Hospital Authority led the garden to visit Xinglin Grand View Garden. A little bit of reason.
Looking at the epidemic from history
