In today's digital age, telemedicine has revolutionized the way we access healthcare services. With just a few taps on your smartphone, you can consult with a doctor and even receive a medical certificate (MC) in no time. But how long does it really take to get an MC from a virtual doctor?
To find out, we tested three popular telemedicine apps – MaNaDr, MyHealth360, and Doctor Anywhere – that offer video consultations with doctors. Our goal was to see if these apps could deliver an MC in under 1 minute.
Our first stop was MaNaDr, which claimed to be able to issue an MC "in a blink of an eye." After uploading our medical condition (gastritis) and specifying we needed a day's leave, the doctor asked us about our symptoms and whether any medical examinations had been conducted. The call ended after just 43 seconds, with an MC and payment details sent via email.
Next up was MyHealth360, operated by Singapore's largest private hospital chain IHH Healthcare. We reported a cough as our ailment and were asked about symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, and fever, as well as any history of asthma. The doctor then recommended medication and issued an electronic MC and bill after just two minutes.
Doctor Anywhere followed a similar pattern, with the doctor asking about symptoms and recommending medication for our blocked nose. We requested a day's leave, and the call ended within two minutes, with an MC issued and payment details sent.
So, how long does it really take to get an MC from these telemedicine apps? According to MaNaDr's founder and CEO Siaw Tung Yeng, consultations can range from a few minutes to half an hour for longer cases. The duration depends on doctors and the type of symptoms they are dealing with.
In fact, experienced doctors can glean enough information from patients in under 30 seconds to one minute to decide the severity of an illness and whether further treatment is needed.
But what about the quality of these teleconsultations? Doctors' practices, including the issuing of MCs, are monitored to prevent abuse. Patients who call in frequently will be advised to have a physical consultation instead.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) emphasizes that online MCs should only be issued after careful and adequate assessment and are "a responsibility that cannot be taken lightly." Telemedicine is a more convenient option for employees who fall sick and need MCs to cover their absence from work, the ministry said in response to our queries.
In conclusion, while telemedicine apps can issue an MC in under 1 minute, the quality of these consultations depends on various factors, including patient profile, medical condition, and physician expertise. With proper clinical assessment and monitoring, telehealth has the potential to revolutionize the way we access healthcare services – but only if done correctly.