Not just a digital doctor’s office – online consultations provide accessible and superior medical care. Technology enables online doctor consultations.

Technology has not only made healthcare convenient, but it has also made it possible for more patients to access specialists and trusted healthcare professionals who can provide distinctive expertise and medical treatment. 

The convenience of booking an appointment with a doctor online became particularly apparent during the pandemic when few wanted to risk infection sitting in a waiting room. Also, life is busy, and many patients welcome the ease of booking an appointment online anytime. In addition, they appreciate booking a consultation without having to phone during office hours. At this point in the digital world, we can safely say that there’s so much more to be gained from having access to online doctors. Technology removes the “barriers of time and distance that stand in the way of optimal care”, he says. This is especially true in South Africa, where patients in rural communities often struggle to access quality medical treatment. 

Online doctors give convenient care. 

An online consultation makes speciality care more efficient. Instead of waiting several days for a referral, it is now possible to consult with a specialist telephonically or online. Health seekers can quickly create an account on platforms such as Zarcare to book an online appointment and connect with a doctor via chat, phone, or video call. This empowers the patient to choose how to communicate with a doctor – either through audio or video. By simplifying and facilitating this access to distinctive healthcare providers, Zarcare can nurture trusted relationships between users of the platform and selected healthcare professionals. 

Get access to online healthcare. 

The location should not prevent a patient from experiencing the best medical care available. With an online consultation, distance is no longer an obstacle. Technology removes the need to drive or even fly to a specialist in another province to get specialist care. Platforms such as Zarcare provides audio or video consultations with carefully selected doctors around South Africa. Zarcare has a network of general practitioners and specialists in dental medicine, mental health, obstetrics, gynaecology, neurology, dermatology, paediatrics, ophthalmology, oncology, cardiology, and more that you can reach online with a swipe of your finger. In addition, electronic medical records can be shared seamlessly among medical practitioners with patient consent, so securing a lifesaving second opinion is far more accessible and likely. 

Connect with a doctor from any location

So, not only is it possible to access the best medical care in the country, but it is also feasible to do so from the comfort of your home, office, or anywhere you desire, 24/7. The nature of this type of medical care is beneficial for those with young children or for elderly patients who may be too frail to travel, or simply for those who wish to not travel unnecessarily to a doctor’s room. Furthermore, the ability to diagnose a patient in their home or work environment can be a medical advantage for certain specialists, argues Dr Brian Hasselfield in an article on The Benefits of Telemedicine. Allergists, for example, may have a better idea of the cause of symptoms if they have insight into your environment. 

Improve your mental health

According to UNICEF South Africa, a staggering 73% of youth and children said they needed mental health support in the past year, yet only 38% actively sought help. More than 60% of those polled said they did not know how to seek help or could not access the medical care they needed. Online consultations provide health seekers with immediate, personal, and private medical care. Patients who loathe to ask for help or be seen in a psychologist’s room will be more likely to consult online from the privacy of their homes. Platforms such as Zarcare offer these patients access to registered mental health professionals, counsellors, and alternative healers.

Affordable healthcare

Online consultations are also cheaper than in-person sessions. In a country where only 16% of the population belongs to a medical scheme that enables them to afford private healthcare, the cost is a significant concern regarding medical treatment. With online platforms, it’s possible to consult a licenced and experienced doctor virtually from anywhere in South Africa. Zarcare offers an affordable option to receive the medical care you need when you need it. Consulting a doctor online has never been this simple and accessible.

Why should you consult an online healthcare provider?

“Putting the pieces together, one thing is clear: Telemedicine is capable of far more than delivering traditional office care virtually. (Why Telemedicine Is Much More Than a Digital Doctor’s Office – Forbes) Done right, its superior medical care, that’s also more convenient,” concludes Dr Pearl. 

Best online consultation in South Africa

Zarcare provides the best online doctor consultation in South Africa. Healthcare providers can sign up to offer their services to patients seeking health and wellness offerings online. Patients can register and select any available doctors to receive excellent and reliable healthcare. While technology will never entirely replace a physical visit to a general practitioner or any other medical practitioner for severe medical conditions, online doctor consultations certainly have a role to play in providing a complementary and essential service. 

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.

You can chat with a doctor on the site by booking an appointment and selecting whether you want to do an audio or a video call.

The doctor will liaise with you on the Zarcare platform.

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