Widely adopted by the French looking for a quick way to consult a practitioner, medical teleconsultation allows to exchange with a doctor or a paramedical professional. If the reasons for consultation are numerous, it is above all the accessibility of this solution that is appreciated by patients. Here is the essential to know about the online consultation!
Medical teleconsultation: what is it?
Medical teleconsultation is a consultation carried out remotely, by interposed screens, between the patient and his doctor. This appointment doc is often done using the webcam or via a application mobile specifically designed for this purpose.
To benefit from a video consultation, it is possible to contact the practitioner concerned directly. However, the schedule of healthcare professionals is usually defined in advance, which can lead to waiting times. It is therefore recommended to go to a networking platform between patients and practitioners for more efficiency.
Medical teleconsultation is useful for people who do not yet have a doctor. It is also recommended for patients who urgently need to consult a healthcare professional without delay.
Which practitioners offer this service?
All health professionals can use medical teleconsultation. This authorization applies to them, regardless of their specialties, sector of practice, location or establishment. In addition, video consultation is offered throughout France, whether in the overseas departments and territories or in mainland France.
It is possible to remotely consult a:
- general practitioner;
- psychiatrist;
- pediatrician;
- gynecologist;
- dentist ;
- dermatologist…
ENTs, midwives or masseurs-physiotherapists also offer online consultations to meet the needs of their patients.
Who is the video consultation for?
Medical teleconsultation is intended for patients who suffer from serious problems such as chronic diseases. This solution avoids them having to make many round trips to their doctor's premises. However, the video consultation is also accessible to patients with occasional symptoms.
The patient in teleconsultation must be consenting and may be assisted by another healthcare professional throughout the session. In addition, the online consultation is used to carry out a remote diagnosis for the flu or to receive the opinion of a specialist in relation to a rash.
Other reasons such as nutrition advice, the renewal of a contraceptive prescription or the confirmation of conjunctivitis may justify a video consultation.
What are the necessary conditions to benefit from this service?
Amendment 6 of September 15, 2018 on telemedicine specifies the conditions for implementing this mechanism. Thus, the patient should know the healthcare professional that he consults online, especially if it is his attending physician. He must also have seen this professional during a face-to-face consultation during the 12 months preceding the teleconsultation. In addition, the online session must be part of his care pathway.
However, there are some exceptions to the above conditions. This is particularly the case for patients under the age of 16 and emergency situations. Direct access specialties (paediatrics, ophthalmology, gynecology, etc.) are not affected by these rules.
Additionally, if the patient does not have an attending physician or if the latter is unavailable within a reasonable time, he is allowed to use medical teleconsultation.