It was the end of February 2020, Covid contagions were increasing at an exponential rate, and the lockdown that was to be proclaimed throughout Italy in a few days’ time was looming.
In anticipation of having to suspend or reduce my office visits, I immediately looked to telemedicine for a new form of assistance and closeness to my patients, reinforced by some of my previous reflections on the advisability that at least part of the visits could be done directly online.
Thus began my online medical consultation activity.
The outcome of this online video consultation service is very positive, as I also told my colleagues at a telemedicine congress, from which I drew some particularly relevant aspects and good practices from the experience of the last few years.
The online gynaecological consultation: when it is recommended and most effective
Almost all gynaecological problems in women can be treated with the integration of remote and outpatient examinations, with the exception of situations in which a clinical objective examination is essential (such as the occurrence of pelvic pain, fever, abnormal bleeding, and emergency situations in general).
This approach has proved particularly effective for:
- Pregnancy. Thanks to telemedicine, I have been able to provide follow-up care for medical conditions that I would never have thought possible remotely, such as pregnancy. I have supported several pregnant patients abroad: I have helped them interpret examinations and ultrasound scans, provided emotional and informative support where there were difficulties communicating with local medical personnel due to language barriers or lack of trust in the local healthcare system, and helped plan examinations to monitor the gestation period according to Italian healthcare methods.
- Treatment of infertility or recurrent miscarriage. Online medical consultations have also proved to be an excellent way to assess infertility issues, particularly at the initial stage, which requires a detailed analysis of the medical history of both partners and the scheduling of specific tests.
- Contraception. Video consultations were also very effective for contraception counselling. I supported my patients with all aspects of contraception, from taking the pill to providing information and advice on other methods.
- Videoconferencing is generally a very effective means of evaluating medical examinations or providing second opinions on surgical indications or cases that have already been dealt with by other colleagues.
- This can also be the case with infectious problems, such as acute or recurrent vaginitis and cystitis. I was able to treat these conditions with simple measures in patients who could not make it to the outpatient clinic due to quarantine or positive test results.
In general, the feedback I receive from patients who use online medical counselling is extremely positive. I have never had a patient who found remote visits less effective than in-person visits. I have never proposed online counselling as a substitute for office visits; rather, it should be seen as a complementary tool, as the first step or follow-up to an office visit.
In recent years, the number of gynaecological video consultations has been increasing, allowing patients to determine when a clinic visit is necessary and when to opt for an online consultation.
The verified reviews on the Miodottore booking platform speak for themselves, testifying to the undeniable advantages of reduced waiting times, travel and costs, total safety against infection, and the effectiveness of remote consultations when appropriate.
An important clarification:
The online consultation, which is NOT a substitute for an in-person doctor’s appointment*, is an excellent way to consult a specialist remotely from the comfort of your own home. It offers the utmost convenience, discretion and health security, while saving you time and the hassle of unnecessary travel.
*The service is not intended for use in cases of emergency medical problems.