In episode 5 of Sisters Without Shame, Gauteng clinician Dr Difuro Masemola unpacks telemedicine within the rural context.
Covid-19 has highlighted the need for having telemedicine as a “safety net” to ensure continued access to healthcare services while maximising social distancing. But a friend in Vryburg – and we are sure they’re not alone – needs some help understanding telemedicine.
Simply put, telemedicine is a virtual consultation with a patient. “Essentially, the doctor will be on [one] side [of the digital connection] and will not be physically present for the consultation, as will the patient be on the other side for the consultation,” says Masemola.
Is Mzansi equipped to handle virtual consultation?
The healthcare system has always been organised around a face-to-face model of care. With the current global Covid-19 pandemic, however, traditional healthcare delivery has been significantly altered in many ways.
One consequence is that medical care is slowly evolving towards telemedicine as an option.
Masemola says that where telemedicine is being practised, doctors continue to consult and diagnose in the way they did before, only without the patient physically present. The only snag when it comes to telemedicine is the examination of the patient.
But many people lack the knowledge on how to navigate this while infrastructure, especially in rural areas, might be a hindrance to the evolution.
Masemola highlights that it is a far-fetched notion in the public health sector as rural areas already struggle when it comes to accessing basic amenities.
“We are decades away from the level at which we should be today.”
“In the public [health] sector, telemedicine exists, but it is still in its infancy.
“To a limited extent, we use telemedicine to provide advice to patients. Patients should be treated even if they are a long distance away.”
Hear the full conversation in Health For Mzansi’s latest podcast episode.
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