As Coronavirus grips our nation and the number of infected cases surge, our Government has been strictly advocating home quarantine and social distancing, leading to a 21 day nationwide lockdown. Tele-consult is a facility through which, by the use of technology, doctors can provide a remote analysis of symptoms and provide electronic or tele-advise to patients.
There is a lot of ambiguity around the guidelines of tele-consult during the current scenario among the doctors.
Read related- Tele-consultation has arrived. Have you logged on yet?
Read below, the guidelines shared by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare:
- A Registered Medical Practitioner is entitled to provide telemedicine consultation to patients from any part of India.
- In all cases of emergency, the patient must be advised for in-person interaction with an RMP at the earliest or Advise first aid, with counselling and facilitate referral.
- Every RMP shall display the registration number accorded to him/her by the State Medical Council/MCI/NMC on prescriptions, website, and electronic communication.
- Primarily, there are 3 modes of teleconsultation: Video, Audio or Text (chat, images, messaging, email, fax, etc.).
- RMP may prescribe medicines via telemedicine ONLY when RMP is satisfied that he/ she has gathered adequate and relevant information about the patient’s medical condition and prescribed medicines are in the best interest of the patient.
- Prohibited List: An RMP providing consultation via telemedicine cannot prescribe schedule X, Narcotics and Psychotropic medicines as per the latest guidelines of Drug & Cosmetic act.
- RMP shall provide a photo, scan, a digital copy of a signed prescription or e-Prescription to the patient via email or any messaging or other platform.
- RMP is liable to keep all the patient’s records in digital or any other format.
Note* – For more information, please visit –https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/Telemedicine.pdf
If you need help managing your thyroid condition, speak to a doctor anytime over Meddo. Our doctors are available 24/7.