Online medical consultations from the first examination by a doctor, which have increased amid the prolonged coronavirus crisis, will be normalized from next fiscal year, administrative and regulatory reform minister Taro Kono announced at a press conference on June 8.
In principle, such services will be available only between those who wish to make online consultations and their primary care doctors. Other doctors can offer such services if it's possible to grasp the patient's physical condition from their medical checkup results and other sources.
The government has decided to accept online consultations by physicians other than primary care doctors in some cases, because there are patients who do not have primary care doctors and some primary care doctors do not offer online services.
Giving instructions regarding some medications will also become possible from the first online consultation with a doctor, depending on a pharmacist's decision, so that such services will be available to patients living in nursing care facilities.
According to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, 6.5% of all medical institutions in the country could offer online consultations from the first examination as of the end of April.
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