A new way of consulting is rapidly gaining popularity

Saulius Abraškevičius, a representative of Lietuvos Draudimas, commented on this topic.

– Why will you only increase your distance consultation in the future?

– Technology development is definitely rapid these days and the only thing that stops people from using their use is vision of direct benefits or value. In this regard, we did a study and wanted to find out if people would tend to seek medical attention remotely. This means connecting by phone or video during the visit. The results are that 88 percent. Their, or 9 out of 10, would be inclined to listen to the consultation, which has been connected by a distance with a doctor. Who is more reserved or less inclined – these are rural residents and older people – from 55 years and up.

Paradox because it is those people who need more health care services. Remote consultations are bigger – it means waiting in line, everything is going faster.

Photo by D. Labutis / ELTA

– For what reasons do people usually apply?

– As statistics show, about 80 percent. The referral to family doctors is mild symptoms – mild fever, some malaise. Remotely, the doctor asks what a person is, can prescribe medication, may make some diagnosis, or prescription medication prescribed. If really bad, you can write a referral to a specialist, to provide incapacity. This supply is really quite a bit.

– 9 out of 10 Lithuanians approved for remote consultations – why?

– It seems to me who is using health care institutions, knowing that it is and difficult to get to the specialists and is a long waiting time. This is also confirmed by international research. A recent study showed that 3 out of 10 patients’ needs are not met precisely because of the long waiting time with the doctors, because of the geographical distance – it means living somewhere on the outskirts of the district, you need to go to the city – and because of costs that some services are too expensive for people. Looking at the whole, distance consultations solve two problems: doctors can reach any day, including weekends, holidays and no physical distance – you can be abroad.

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– But remote consultations still need to register, doctors need to spend time on that call.

– If we are talking about our Lithuanian insurance service with our partners, we need to have a smart gadget. The first step is to choose the right time for you – you set a visit time when you want to contact, describe the symptoms as much as possible and just relax and wait for the call.

– How long do you have to wait?

– Everything happens the same day.

– If the private sector is consulted, this is different, for example, from the direct price of a visit?

– Of course, distance services are highly recommended and are cheaper because they save a lot of costs. But the public health care institutions, which also provide remote consultation, should not be overlooked. Perhaps that registration is less comfortable or friendly to the consumer as in private institutions.