In Self-isolation? Telemedicine Consultation For Omicron Patients Should Not Just Only On The First Day

Telemedicine (photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Self-isolation is carried out for positive COVID-19 patients who show mild symptoms. Consultations with doctors through telemedicine services as part of the self-isolation of COVID-19 patients including the Omicron variant for some time should not be carried out on the first day alone.

"It is better to consult a doctor (through) temedisin not only on the first day, but every day during the self-isolation period," said Professor of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama quoted from ANTARA, Tuesday, February 1.

This consultation is necessary to monitor the progress of the patient's complaints from day to day, possible complaints and or side effects when taking the drugs given as well as the possibility of adjusting the dose and or giving additional drugs if needed during the days of self-isolation.

"If it is not possible to provide free telemedicine services every day, then it would be very good if patients could have daily consultations (by telephone) with doctors. However, daily supervision is important, even if only by telephone/WA," said he, who once served as Director WHO Southeast Asia Infectious Diseases.

Prof. Tjandra suggested that during the first consultation, it could involve families who deal with patients daily. Doctors can explain to the patient's family what they should do in caring for the patient at home which is often not an easy matter.

"If the telemedicine service cannot involve the family caring for it at home, then it is better if the family member tries to communicate with the doctor or health worker who may have acquaintances," he said.

Prof. Tjandra said telemedicine services are a very important part of current self-isolation, especially considering the number of cases due to Omicron which is expected to continue to increase.

He reminded, in addition to administering drugs, it is also necessary to consider the availability of medical devices to monitor health conditions such as thermometers, tensimeters, and oximetry to determine numbers as important parameters for consideration of patients having to enter the hospital.