Being a Doctor On Call in Malaysia: Advantages & Disadvantages

The state of our country has changed drastically in the past year. As industries weather the pandemic’s effects, medical practices are also approaching caregiving differently. Being a doctor on call is a rapidly growing trend in Malaysia, which comes with its advantages and disadvantages.

What brought about this trend?

When the coronavirus necessitated new protocols in line with social distancing, it influenced how doctors offer their services to patients. Minimising contact is the best way to guard against the virus, and patients with health problems might opt out of visiting the clinic or hospital. Ultimately, the emergence of “doctor on call” or teleconsultation in Malaysia hinges on this patient behaviour.

Besides that, technological advancements have allowed us to reimagine clinic visits as a house call without the extra mile. Online doctor consultations cover both primary care and specialists, enabling a more extensive reach for treating patients.

While this method is gaining traction for its benefits, there are still several apprehensions to address.

Advantages of Doctor on Call Services in Malaysia

1. Expands Accessibility

Teleconsultation can help medical practices stretch their networks and expand access to healthcare. It is especially advantageous for patients seeking immediate medical attention and those who are disabled. Doctors may even reach patients in rural areas or outside the standard care delivery system with the right technologies.

2. Improves Patient Engagement

Healthcare providers are increasingly aware of the need to interact with patients to engage them in self-care between visits. After all, proactive treatment is never discouraged. Doctors and medical staff alike can utilise remote monitoring to improve outcomes of chronic illnesses whilst cutting costs.

3. Increases Revenue

Aside from reducing overhead costs per visit, doctors on call can extend hours to rake in more billable time. If patients fail to attend virtual appointments, they may also bill for uncompensated calls. In addition, this service provides a competitive advantage to attract and retain more patients, generating more revenue.

4. Enhances Clinical Workflow

Teleconsultation can improve clinical workflow efficiency, serving as a channel for quicker prioritisation and triaging cases. Not to mention, the automated record keeping allows better communication, convenience, and elimination of any discrepancies.

Subsequently, capturing and storing patient data will lead to better medical decision-making as well.

Disadvantages

1. Not Always Suitable

The online service has the potential to be highly favourable but might not always be practical. Doctors cannot perform a complete routine medical exam on patients over video call; our technology is unfortunately not there yet. Plus, any samples collected for tests will have to be delivered to the lab, particularly for patients with more severe conditions.

2. Electronic Glitches

Like it or not, sometimes technology fails us. A simple glitch can withhold medical providers from offering the proper consult at the right time, perhaps even causing miscommunication. However, those living in modern metropolises and towns with seamless internet connectivity have a lower chance of facing this problem.

To sum up, being a doctor on call in Malaysia is evidently worth the deliberation. Prescribing medication is only two clicks away, and employing an online pharmacy to make deliveries benefits both patients and providers.

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