Consult Online Now!

Hello everyone! So this blog post is somewhat special, since this isn't just a new post, but I'll be sharing a new feature of my blog as well!
Yes, you read it right! A NEW FEATURE!!! (Just one of the many things I'm updating in my blog!)

So, what is this new feature that you can see in the navigation area? This is the CONSULT ONLINE feature! So let me talk about this now!

Since we’re currently in an enhanced community quarantine, and my clinic is currently closed (and I have taken a month off from hospital duty), I have decided to have a telemedicine account via Medifi.

Medifi allows you to consult your physician (who has a Medifi account, of course) ONLINE whenever you have non-emergency cases. Again, NON-EMERGENCY cases only. If medications will be given, e-prescriptions will be provided, and rest assured, they are accepted by our local drugstores. All you have to do is download the “Medifi for Patients” app, and just follow the instructions. You can basically chat, send photos, and voice and video call your doctors! You can even ask for medical certificate if you need one!

You might be wondering...
Is online consult enough? 
Well, online consult will NEVER replace a personal consult with your doctor. Doctors cannot do your physical examination online. However, there are cases that can be easily diagnosed even with just the history of the illness. Of course, we'll advice you if your concern requires a visit to your doctor, but rest assured, we'll do the best that we can with your concerns.

Now, the next question is, how much per consult? 
Well, it depends! Medifi has two features:
1. Consult Now
In Consult Now feature, all Medifi doctors online at the moment will receive your request for a consult (regardless of their specialization), and the first doctor who will accept the request will be the one to assist you. The price for this is fixed at Php699 (quite pricey since you will be directed to someone available at the moment. It's like an express lane!)

2. Ask A Specialist
In this feature, you get to choose your own doctor, and the price for this one varies. For example, you have a skin problem, and you want to consult a dermatologist, you can do this by going to Ask A Specialist portion then Medifi will show you the list of dermatologists available with their corresponding rates. This, however, won't assure you that your chosen doctor will reply to you right away. Your chosen doctor might not be available at the time of consult, but Medifi will notify them about your request. (Don't worry, you won't be charged until your doctor accepts your request!) Most patients who choose this feature are those who want to have a "follow-up" with their doctors. They've consulted before, and just want to update their doctors regarding their previous consultation.

What is my take on these features?
Well, as always, the customer is always right. You have the right to these options, whatever you decide, it's okay. My take on this is it depends on your needs. If you feel like you need to consult right away, then choose CONSULT NOW. If you feel like you can wait, or maybe, you want to consult your own chosen doctor, then choose ASK A SPECIALIST.

If your concerns are for GENERAL MEDICINE, then you can choose me under the "Ask A Specialist". I am currently a General Medicine Practitioner (no specializations yet), and I can handle various cases such as cough, colds, abdominal pain, headache, diarrhea, etc. And the good thing is, I am always online (especially now that we're in a lockdown), which means you don't really have to wait that long. Plus, you won't pay as much as you will in "Consult Now" since my consultation fee is only Php300-400 (Medifi adds a certain percentage in our consultation fee, but I promise, 400 is like the maximum fee already!)

How will you pay?
Medifi currently only allows debit card and credit card for the payment.


So, there you go! If you want to consult now, then go to "CONSULT ONLINE" in the navigation area, or click this!

This is my way of helping the other frontliners. Through this, patients won’t congest the ER for non-emergency cases and, in a way, will lessen patients’ exposures. 

If you have other questions about this, don't hesitate to comment down below.

Thank you and stay safe!

XoXo,

Darlene Angelica U. Dayandayan, RMT, M.D.