What is an online doctor consultation?

Why spend hours in a doctor’s waiting room when it is possible to see a doctor online at the most convenient time? My 82-year-old mother contracted COVID-19 during the height of the pandemic. It was a relief knowing that I could chat with my general practitioner (GP) online and get a diagnosis and course of treatment without having to cause her any further discomfort. 

Access to basic healthcare is important. 

The right to have access to essential healthcare services is enshrined in the Constitution, and the ability to book an appointment 24/7, with the knowledge that it will be possible to seek expert medical help without having to travel to a doctor’s room or medical facility, is empowering. Platforms that allow for audio or video consultations with specialists all over South Africa allow access to excellent medical advice from the home, office or anywhere. In addition, patients can consult a doctor online to get help with any symptoms or illness. Dizziness, cough, stomach ache, lower back pain, headache, fatigue, blurry vision, fever and joint pain are symptoms that you may choose to check with an online doctor.

What are the benefits of online doctor consultations?

Aside from the convenience of being able to book online doctors and meet virtually, online consultations have proven to have many benefits. 

  1. Everyone has a better chance of accessing basic healthcare. According to data from the World Bank, there is not even one physician for every 1 000 people in South Africa, so for many patients – especially those in underserved communities – access to a GP is limited or non-existent. Being able to consult online with a doctor who is based in Cape Town or Johannesburg gives communities in rural areas better access to quality healthcare. Although there are challenges, such as Internet connectivity, Mareike Rabe notes in the South African Family Practice Journal that these online doctor consultations in South Africa are “feasible, safe and effective”. 
  1. Taking care of your mental health is made more accessible. In low and middle-income countries, such as South Africa, a staggering 75% to 95% of people with mental health issues cannot access the services they need. There are few psychiatrists in the public sector, with a 1 to 3 338 295 patient ratio in provinces like the Eastern Cape.

    Being able to talk to a psychologist online or via mobile phone makes therapy more accessible, affordable, and acceptable to many patients. However, some may still battle with the stigma of having to visit a counsellor physically. Online Doctor consultation help eliminate these barriers, placing mental health care within reach of those who need it most. 
  1. Online consultations are convenient and cost-effective. Travel is expensive and can be time-consuming for patients travelling to medical facilities in the city. With online platforms allow these patients to fill prescriptions, seek medical advice, and enjoy non-emergency healthcare from their mobile phones. 
  1. Consulting a GP online improves patient satisfaction. There are no more lengthy waiting room waits with other sickly patients, for example. According to an article in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, “Physicians reported that telemedicine visits offer new opportunities to improve the quality of patient care but noted changes to their interactions with patients.” Of course, there is no physical examination or personal interaction with a virtual or telephonic consultation, but platforms like Zarcare generally encourage shared decision-making and self-management. 
  1. Online consultations allow for improved levels of health care. Being able to monitor patients remotely offers an additional level of protection as doctors get continuous, real-time data on their patients. Clinical history and examination notes can be generated automatically, and patient information can be stored online and shared electronically if needed. 
  1. Receive immediate medical attention. If the condition is critical, the patient will be referred for in-person care, especially in cases where the condition may be critical or severe. Furthermore, patients living in rural communities or a distance away from major medical centres can also access specialists using online services. 
  1. Online doctor consultations are also good for the planet. According to Future Healthcare Journal, the healthcare sector contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Research indicates that telemedicine is crucial in transitioning to a net carbon-zero healthcare system. 

Best online consultation in South Africa

Zarcare provides the best online doctor consultation in South Africa. Sign up as a health and wellness practitioner to start offering professional care to patients around the country. Register as a patient today on Zarcare and select any of our available doctors to receive good basic healthcare. While technology will never entirely replace a visit with a GP or medical practitioner for serious medical conditions, online doctor consultations certainly have a role to play in providing a complementary and essential service in the future. 

There is a separate registration page to register as a practising medical professional.

There is a separate process and page to register as a patient.

There are other elements on our website that you may access – we have blogs and information that you may find helpful. You do not need to be registered to view these. However, to consult with a doctor or to consult as a doctor, you need to register on Zarcare.

All our doctors have a star rating and may have reviews. You may use this to select your preferred doctor. Alternatively, complete the contact form, and we will get back to you with a recommendation.

There will often be consultation slots available to see a doctor, if not immediately, then same day.