During the "health system" trying to survive the epidemic of the deadly virus.

"Covid-19"... has emerged new health services such as Telemedicine, which has played a significant role in the Home Isolation (HI) system or treatment in the community. (Community Isolation : CI)

...The empty hospital bed is as valuable as gold.

Over time, COVID-19

become endemic like influenza

Even under the circumstances of COVID-19

will unfold along with leaving traces of weariness in the health system.

But it cannot be denied that "Covid-19" is a catalyst for change in

"Thai public health system"

aimed at

"Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital" is another example of the telemedicine system used to care for COVID-19 patients.

both treating themselves at home and in the community as a whole

until extended to be used to take care of different groups of patients

so that people have access to a comprehensive and convenient service system, reducing the burden of travel expenses

Dr. Chokchai Leetochavalit

, Director of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital

tell me that

Our telemedicine service center is a result of the policy of Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health (MOU) and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, who want various hospitals to develop new services.

Dr. Chokchai Leetochavalit

Interestingly, telemedicine services will initially select key audiences and have early access to services, such as people with type 1 diabetes or diabetics with kidney problems.

including psychiatric patients

and prison patients

In the future, there will be target groups according to importance...expanding to cover

for patients to access services

Can take better continuous care...help reduce problems in the long run

Dr. Saowaluk Chaophonthong

, nephrologist

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital added that kidney disease is a high cost disease.

If able to monitor and change the patient's behavior, it may help to slow down the deterioration of the kidneys.

cost reduction

But another group that is interested in monitoring people with diabetes.

Because “diabetes” is a precursor to many diseases such as diabetic kidney disease, diabetic eye disease.

Diabetes at risk of causing coronary artery disease, paralysis, paralysis, etc.

“People with diabetes now have the knowledge to be able to test their sugar at home.

There is a video call talking to the patient...checking the sugar values.

Usually, if you come for a check-up with the doctor, you may schedule an appointment once every 3 months, maybe see the doctor in 5 minutes, go home because the patient is overcrowded in the hospital.

But if we video call, we can talk to each other often.

Frequent monitoring will result in better sugar control.”

Dr. Saowaluk Chaophonthong, MD.

The next process is to be able to

"Order"..."Send medicine" via the post office

However, "distance medicine" also has obstacles, namely the inability to examine the body.

and based on the assessment as the patient said only

Including patients with emergencies such as abdominal pain, failing a physical examination is quite risky.

Because abdominal pain may come from the appendix, etc. and may be at risk of rupturing the appendix.

The emergency group will have a separate consultation and have the patient come to the hospital for examination.

In addition to monitoring patients for certain groups of diseases

The telemedicine system of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital has expanded into prisons.

To monitor the patient's symptoms without the need to travel as well

Dr. Thattree Bositthiphichet, MD.

Family medicine doctor said that we care about 6,000 inmates in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District Prison, who have quite limited access to services. Therefore, we have chosen medical services.

long distance to join in providing services to patients

which will take care of 2 main groups

Dr. Thattree Bositthiphichet, MD.

That is, "patients with chronic diseases" such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lipids, etc. that need to be discussed in order to take a history.

Adjust medication... monitoring patient symptoms

and one group that is

"Psychiatric Patients"

Then the data will be recorded in the hospital's program base.

At the same time, if additional liver and kidney tests are required, the prison will draw blood.

and sent to the hospital

When the blood results are up, it will allow the doctor to follow up with the blood results... when the doctor's visit is complete.

There will be a prescription in the system.

The medicine will be prepared at the dispensing room.

The pharmacist will arrange the patient's medicine in a set. After 1 day, the prison staff will come to pick up the medicine.

and referred to nurses in prisons.

Finally...the medicine will be distributed directly to the patient.

Next, the group ... "psychiatric patients"

Dr. Supriya Saributr, a

psychiatrist at Ayutthaya Hospital, emphasized that psychiatric patients in prisons

Most are schizophrenic.

or psychiatric symptoms caused by substance abuse

This includes emotional disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, stress, or insomnia.

However, the remote medical examination

will talk

Look at the face of the patient.

to assess the patient's mood

or assess depression, stress, or even the risk of self-harm.

But the restrictions on inspections during the talks include prison staff.

May not be able to tell all the information.

“This part may be corrected if the patient has trust.

feel safe

dare to tell more

This will help doctors get more information as well.”

Supriya Saributr, MD.

At the same time, the voice of long-distance medical service recipients like

“Gold Card Patients” who undergo

abdominal dialysis through an automatic dialysis machine have stated that from one month of service, what is clearly evident is the convenience.

Because in the past, had to travel to the hospital to wait to see a doctor for a long time.

And also save the cost of travel again.

As for giving advice, it's not any different.

because the doctor will ask about the symptoms

anomalies that occur

But it may be different in that when it comes to seeing a doctor from a distance

Your doctor won't see any changes in your body's appearance, such as nail color or swelling.

Information from the NHSO indicates that there are currently 61 hospitals participating in the telemedicine system ... "Telehealth", focusing on patients with chronic diseases with stable symptoms.

can control the disease well

of which 89,706 patients have received 174,710 times

Patients using gold patents contact the hospital where they receive services.

to inquire

or express an intention to receive remote health care services as needed

In the process of receiving services, the doctor will initially assess the patient's condition as stable.

Ready to receive treatment through the Telehealth system?



If assessed and found that the patient is ready, they will inform and ask about their willingness to join the project.

The nurse will then contact to clarify the agreement.

Methods for remote examination and appointment of patients

At the appointed time, a video call was made with the doctor for a diagnosis.

If necessary, take the medication as well.

The hospital will have a system for delivering medicines by mail.

Or pack the pills and pick them up at the nearest drugstore for free.

“Seeing a doctor remotely” has advantages in addition to convenience.

Another thing is that you can always consult via Line.

Sometimes... "Doctors" will come to follow up every day in case there are abnormal symptoms. No need to wait until the appointment date... This new "health system" service was born to take care of the lives of the people as much as possible. the most.