Speedoc rolls out Telemedicine In Malaysia

Since Speedoc’s launch in January 2019, our team has been working hard to offer more services so that healthcare continues to remain accessible for all Malaysians.

Our vision has always been to create a one-stop healthcare platform for all medical needs at home. Today, we are pleased to roll out video-consulting via our app to the broader community. With a few clicks on your phone, you can speak to a doctor who can advise you about your medical worries, from the comfort of your home.

A most gratifying journey

Our journey of bringing the hospital to the home has been most rewarding. In just three years, we’ve put together packages that make it easier and safer to manage your chronic illnesses, arrange for A&E procedures like wound dressings to be done at home, receive care and monitoring, and even get ECG scans, all from the comfort, safety and convenience of your home. By adding video consultations to our arsenal, we make the patient journey smoother and more convenient; remote medical care is now within everyone’s reach.

So what is telemedicine exactly and why is important?

Telemedicine sounds like a buzzword, but it is a simple and increasingly popular concept. With telemedicine, doctors provide clinical consultations to patients using electronic or online communication tools. This means that there is no need for any in-person visits and everything is done remotely from your computer or smartphone. Speedoc’s telemedicine service is provided via video call and chat features on our app.

The current pandemic has forced many of us to rethink our habits, from grocery shopping to socialising with friends. This is the same for healthcare. I’ve been called to do more house calls than ever before as more people avoid going to GP clinics and hospitals.

It is unlikely that this demand will peter out. With almost half of Malaysia’s population suffering from high cholesterol, almost 1 in 5 Malaysians diagnosed with diabetes and 1 in 3 Malaysians with high blood pressure, the need for accessible healthcare will only rise. I think this is a step in the right direction and can only suggest a shift in the way Malaysians utilise healthcare resources.

Why should you consider telemedicine with Speedoc?

The most obvious benefits of telemedicine include time management, convenience and social distancing:

• Time management – Spend your time doing other important tasks rather than waiting in a clinic.

• Convenience – No need to queue to see a doctor. A video consultation booking with Speedoc can connect you to a doctor within minutes.

• Social distancing – In the context of the increased need for social distancing, accessing medical care remotely keeps you safe at home and away from hospitals and clinics where the risk of infection may be high. This will also help relieve the immense pressure on medical resources that hospitals in Malaysia are experiencing right now.

• The Speedoc Advantage: If your Speedoc doctor feels an in-person diagnosis is needed for your condition, we can seamlessly arrange for a home visit so you don’t need to travel to a clinic yourself*.

**House visits are currently only available in Kuala Lumpur, Klang Valley, Penang, Ipoh, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Muar, and Johor Bahru.

Long term benefits of telemedicine include improved personalisation, quality of care, and lower costs:

• Enhanced medical care personalisation: At Speedoc, we believe in leveraging evolving technology to enhance our clinical practice and personal attention that we provide our patients. We will be using telemedicine for triage services, provision of second opinions and referrals to specialists.

• Increased accessibility to healthcare: Telemedicine is especially useful in providing easy healthcare access for people living in rural areas where healthcare resources are limited. All you need is a digital device and Internet access to get connected to a doctor.

• Improved quality of care for patients: Research has shown that telemedicine can create positive lifestyle changes for patients with coronary heart disease.

• Lower costs: With outpatient healthcare costs for elderly Malaysians averaging RM426.50 per year, keeping healthcare affordable for all Malaysians is crucial. Research has shown that encouraging patients to use telemedicine can reduce patient costs by up to 11%.

When should you use telemedicine?

I’ve found that telemedicine is typically used for remote follow-up appointments, post-hospitalisation care, chronic diseases management, and more. However, as our needs and habits change, more and more people are using remote consultations to see their doctors for milder symptoms. I would recommend telemedicine for ailments such as:

• Cough or cold

• Sore throat

• Headache and migraines

• Constipation and diarrhoea

• Skin irritation, rashes, and acne

• Stomach aches and gastric problems

• Muscle aches

• Menstrual issues

• Conjunctivitis (as long as there is no visual impairment)

• Eyelid problems such as a stye

• Chronic illnesses that have been well-controlled and routinely followed-up

Of course, the above list is non-exhaustive. If you feel as though you have a minor symptom not listed above and would like to see a doctor via telemedicine, you are more than welcome to book a consultation with us. However, if you display any of the following symptoms, I urge you to seek urgent medical care by either calling 999 or visiting the nearest emergency department:

• Breathing difficulties

• Chest pains

• Choking

• Speech difficulties or impairments

• Weakness in arms or legs

• Loss of consciousness

• Seizures

• Broken bones

• Suicidal intent