Telehealth allows patient to stay in her bubble

Endocrinology patient Janice McDrury says being able to see her consultant Professor Patrick Manning during lockdown using telehealth was fantastic.

Having a number of autoimmune conditions meant it was important that Janice stayed in the safety of her bubble during the COVID -19 outbreak so a prearranged consultation at Dunedin Hospital during lockdown was quickly rearranged to a video call.

“Patrick sent me the link and it was really easy to use. It was as close to having the satisfaction of a face to face consultation as possible but in a virtual situation. The conversation was as free as it would be in the clinic and I’d encourage everyone to give it a go,” says Janice.

Patrick says he’s had really positive feedback from his patients about telehealth.

“They like not having to travel, they feel comfortable in their own home, it’s slightly less formal, or less sterile, than a hospital clinic consultation and there’s flexibility as to when you do them.”