Health structure & teleconsultation: improved access to care

Teleconsultation in healthcare facilities, an innovative new service

Since health insurance took the decision to fully reimburse remote consultations in 2018, more and more patients have chosen to turn to this alternative situation. Practical and more comfortable for those who find it difficult to travel, teleconsultation has become even more popular since the start of the pandemic, and is now available in healthcare establishments such as EHPADs and pharmacies. We take a closer look at these new technologies, which are making a real difference to the medical profession.

Teleconsultation via a specialized booth or terminal

When we think of remote consultation, we often think of a consultation that can be carried out from home, using our own computer, tablet or smartphone. However, this is not the only solution, and certainly not the most practical one. In fact, an increasing number of healthcare facilities in France have chosen to equip themselves with booths or teleconsultation terminals.

More accessible to people who can't afford to buy a computer, or who aren't comfortable with computers, these booths have the advantage of being able to accommodate all those who wish to benefit from a remote consultation, without the need to install any software or bring anything other than their medical documents.

What's more, this new-generation equipment has the advantage of enabling doctors tomake more accurate diagnoses, as it is equipped withconnected devices such as stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors, dermatoscopes and scales. These easy-to-use devices can then be used by the patient, on the doctor's advice.

How to benefit

As you can see, teleconsultation via a booth or kiosk offers many advantages. But how does it work? It's very simple: the patient simply goes to a pharmacy, a nurse's surgery or an optician who has a teleconsultation terminal or booth. They then select the type of doctor they wish to consult (general practitioner, dentist, dermatologist, pediatrician, psychologist, etc.) and wait in the booth.

Less than fifteen minutes later, a healthcare professional is in contact with the patient, via the camera and high-definition screen already integrated into the booth or kiosk. The patient can begin to describe his or her symptoms, while the practitioner guides him or her through the use of the connected devices to gather the data required for a diagnosis.

At the end of the consultation, the doctor can write a prescription for medication, a medical examination or even a physical appointment with a specialist if required. The patient pays for the consultation in the same way as for an office visit, and subsequently benefits from the same health insurance reimbursement conditions.

How is this solution revolutionizing access to healthcare?

Remote consultation from a personal computer is a practical solution, especially for people who are unable to travel because of age, injury or virulent illness, but it is not accessible to everyone and is not very accurate, since the doctor's diagnosis will have to be based solely on what the patient tells him or her.

Using technological tools such as kiosks or teleconsultation booths is a more than interesting alternative, as it offers patients the possibility of being examined with as much precision as if they were at their GP's, without having to go all the way to the practice. In areas affected by medical desertsthis formula offers patients better access to care.

It's also worth noting that the installation of this type of machine in medical establishments such as EHPAD (old people's and nursing homes) would save healthcare staff an enormous amount of time, enabling them to provide residents with faster care without having to travel, thus increasing their level of comfort.

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