Online medical examinations for a patient's first visit to a doctor started in full Monday, as infections with the new coronavirus continue to spread around the country. This type of online treatment began to be covered by public health insurance the same day.
Allowing online examinations is a temporary measure until the outbreak ends or noticeably slows.
The examinations are conducted using the video call functions on smartphones and tablets.
Before this measure was launched, doctors had to examine first-time patients face-to-face, even if a patient wanted to receive treatment online.
This temporary change aims to reduce the risk of infections spreading through patients visiting hospitals or clinics. Thus, doctors are now allowed to examine patients who have not visited their hospital or clinic before and the treatments are covered by insurance.
Higashinagasakiekimae Medical Clinic in Toshima Ward, Tokyo, introduced a system from Micin Inc., a Tokyo-based company dealing with online medical examination systems, when it opened eight years ago.
But as no patients had requested an online examination, the clinic had not utilized it.
To prevent coronavirus infections from spreading further, however, the clinic began using the online system in March, and about 20 patients have so far accessed the service.
On Monday morning, a female company employee who has regularly visited the clinic for treatment of her chronic disease received an online examination for the first time. The examination was completed in five minutes.
"Because I have a chronic disease, I'm afraid of infection. As I am working at home and avoiding going out, [the online medical service] is helpful."
Fumitaka Kira, director of the clinic, said, "Though the system is convenient for patients and preventing infections, it may be difficult to identify and judge symptoms if they are first-time patients. I respond very carefully."
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