The medics who CAN see you now! (but only online)

As coronavirus restrictions continue and all but essential medical treatment is unavailable, what do you do if you have a health problem such as toothache or a rash? The answer may lie with virtual clinics you access through a website or app, and phone and video consultations.

Indeed, the Government recently urged patients to consult their GP remotely in order to reduce the number of infected people attending surgeries and slow down the spread of the virus.

But are the online clinics worth the time — and the money (after all, they don’t come cheap)? We asked experts to assess some of the available options.

PRESCRIPTION SHOP

doctor-4-u.co.uk

PRICE: Depends on what is prescribed.

HOW IT WORKS: acid reflux, blocked ears, migraine and thrush are among the conditions this website offers help for. on the website, you click on the problem you have and this takes you to a page that offers information and suggested treatments for it. Patients fill in a questionnaire — including how long you have had the condition and what other medication you may be taking — and a prescription request is submitted to one of the doctors at the website.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘This isn’t a consultation with a doctor, it’s more like an online supermarket for medication,’ says sarah Burnett, a physician based in London. ‘it might be helpful for over-the-counter medicines you may struggle to find such as antihistamines, but you could order these from an online pharmacy which is arguably more reliable. i worry about people being able to buy medication so easily.’ 3/10

JOINTS AND MUSCLES

techniquephysio.com PRICE: £49 for 45 minutes

HOW IT WORKS: consultations with registered physiotherapists are carried out via video call using the computer programs skype and Zoom. During a consultation, the physio will ask a series of questions to find out where things hurt, and may even get the patient to carry out certain movements on camera, such as bends or stretches — so they can make an assessment. They may then suggest exercises or arrange further appointments.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘There is a place for this at the moment to help provide relief for general aches and pains such as a bad back,’ says Professor Tony Kochhar, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the private London Bridge Hospital. ‘But if you are in severe pain, have a high temperature or the painful joint feels hot, cold or tingly, then these are red flags for something more serious and you should contact your GP.’ 7/10

TEETH

instant-dentist.com PRICE: £20 HOW IT WORKS: For those with dental problems, this website offers online assessments. after signing up, you fill in a questionnaire about your concern and can upload photos of the problem area, and previous dental X-rays. a dentist then reviews the information and offers advice, which you receive via email.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Most dental practices are currently shut or only seeing emergency patients as part of the coronavirus lockdown,’ says Dr Henrik overgaard-nielsen, an nHs dentist based in London. ‘i’m not sure what you can reliably diagnose with photos and without looking in the mouth or doing sensitivity tests. if you have facial swelling or anything that affects breathing, go to a&E. otherwise, if there is pain you can take relevant medication — and other minor issues such as chipped teeth will have to wait until dentists open again.’ 3/10

SKIN

stratumclinics.com PRICE: £200 for 30 minutes

HOW IT WORKS: on the website, you fill in your details and what your skin concern is, and an appointment with a dermatologist is arranged if it is something they can help with. While these virtual clinics can help advise on some skin issues such as moles or rashes, for example, other cases such as acne patients needing the drug roaccutane are turned away as they need regular blood tests.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘There is a real place for so-called teledermatology at the moment,’ says Dr andrew Wright, a consultant dermatologist and a professor of dermatology at the university of Bradford. ‘ of course, some cases such as moles that have changed shape or are bleeding will need to be checked by a dermatologist in person. But this is an effective way of having minor dermatology problems assessed and treatment options discussed.’ 8/10

GP SERVICES

babylonhealth.com

PRICE: £49

HOW IT WORKS: This website — also available as an app on your phone — functions like a GP; you can see a doctor online and can get prescriptions, referral letters and sick notes. after signing up, you book a digital consultation with a GP of your choice.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘non-verbal clues are important when you see a doctor so, if you are going to use an online service, i would advise you go for a video consultation rather than a phone consultation, because the GP can see your face and body language,’ says Dr Burnett.

‘This might show the patient is in pain when they move a certain way, for example. sometimes patients just need reassurance; maybe they have mild symptoms of earache or just can’t get to the pharmacy. if you find yourself in these circumstances, using this service may help — if you can afford it. But there are limitations of having an online consultation and there is always a risk that a problem could be missed.’ 7/10

CHILDREN’S HEALTH

e-hospital.co.uk PRICE: £280 for 45 minutes

HOW IT WORKS: after choosing an appointment slot on the website, parents complete a questionnaire in advance of the consultation with a paediatrician, which is carried out via Zoom. after the 45-minute consultation, parents receive a treatment plan via email and the consultant organises any investigations needed to fully evaluate the child’s condition, which can be arranged in private clinics locally.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘This might be a useful alternative for parents who want to see a paediatrician for advice about an allergy to cow’s milk protein, for example, which can be diagnosed largely based on the child’s history,’ says Dr robert Block, a consultant paediatrician at Tameside & Glossop integrated care nHs Trust. ‘ However, the appointments are expensive. instead, if a parent is concerned their child is ill they should call 111 or, if something is seriously wrong, they should go to a&E.

‘unlike other areas of medicine, paediatric emergency care isn’t overwhelmed at the moment and we don’t want children being kept at home and not getting the care they need because their parents are scared of taking them to hospital.’ 5/10

MENTAL HEALTH

myonlinetherapy.com

PRICE: From £49 for 30 minutes

HOW IT WORKS: This online mental health service connects people with psychologists. Therapies include cognitive behavioural therapy (cBT), a talking therapy to help change patterns of behaviour.

after completing a free online assessment, the website matches you to the most appropriate therapeutic approach and the best psychologist for your situation, who you can connect with via video, live chat or daily messaging.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘People do feel isolated at the moment and this can impact on mental health, so this resource could be helpful and seems quite straightforward to use,’ says Dr Burnett. ‘Talking therapies can be effective online — you don’t need to see someone face-to-face for it to work.’ 8/10