Examination of “online medical treatment from first consultation” for prevention of infection
To prevent the transmission of the new coronavirus in hospitals, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is urgently considering the possibility of providing "online medical treatment" via the Internet to suspected patients from the first time.
Hospitals around the country have been confirmed to be infected with doctors and patients due to the spread of the new coronavirus, and the use of “online medical treatment,” which allows medical examinations at home and other places via the Internet, is increasing.
However, "online medical care" requires, in principle, a face-to-face medical treatment by a doctor in advance, and is limited to cases in which a family doctor prescribes the same medicine.
However, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato indicated at the Economic and Fiscal Advisory Council on March 31 that it would review the face-to-face medical treatment provided by doctors.
The Japan Medical Association also said on Tuesday that the spread of the infection was an emergency and that it would flexibly respond online from the first time.
For this reason, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has urgently considered to enable "online medical care" from the first time for patients suspected of being infected with the new coronavirus.