Consult your GP online

Use of system shot up during March

RESIDENTS in the Torrevieja hospital catchment area have been making use of the YoSalud website to consult with their doctors during the state of emergency.

The private company Ribera Salud – which provides public healthcare in the area for the regional government – assured that this technology is ‘the best ally’ to prevent people having to leave their homes unnecessarily.

The tool enables patients to ‘chat’ via messages with their GP, and in turn medical workers can monitor the results of patients with chronic conditions, reducing the need for them to meet in person.

The area has approximately 160,000 registered SIP health card holders, of whom over 75,700 use YoSalud.

Of these, 4,368 patients have used it since March 1, exchanging a total of 80,130 messages with 106 medical workers, which is triple the usual number of consultations.

According to the company, 80% of consultations during the state of emergency have been carried out online.

Although they admitted it is possible that some users may have experienced problems with the system due to the sudden increase in traffic, they assured that no serious incidents have been recorded and they will resolve them if they are reported to them.

YoSalud also has a section with advice specifically about Covid-19 and can be accessed from the website www.torrevieja-salud.com.

It is necessary to register first with the patient’s personal details, including SIP card number, mobile phone number, health centre and date of birth – which are then verified on their database and the patient will receive an access code via a text message to their phone.

Ribera Salud said they have offered to let other hospitals use its system at no cost.

The company has also launched an online programme of physiotherapy and health advice called #CuídateEnCasa (look after yourself at home).

It contains a routine for children and adults to look after their physical, psychological and social wellbeing while they are confined to their homes.

All the sessions can be followed on the website rsc.riberasalud.com and feature tips, talks and exercise routines.

There are also videos for patients with diabetes or high blood pressure, as well as about healthy eating and assertive communication, amongst others.