‘There are trade-offs’: how Hong Kong patients can use telemedicine wisely
In the fourth instalment of a five-part Health Matters wellness series on Hong Kong’s growing wellness trends, Lo Hoi-ying examines how telehealth is reshaping access to care, as practitioners warn it cannot fully replace in-person diagnosis. Hong Kong housewife Chan Ket-yee, nearly 60, has battled severe eczema on her neck and underarms for decades. Splitting her time between the United Kingdom…
Telehealth is revolutionizing healthcare access for Hong Kong patients, but practitioners warn it cannot entirely replace in-person diagnosis. Hong Kong's Housewife Chan Ket-yee, a long-time sufferer of severe eczema, relied on telehealth consultations to manage her condition while living between the UK and Hong Kong. Chan found that visiting a Hong Kong dermatologist provided a more effective treatment plan than UK doctors, who offered basic advice.
WeDerm, a Hong Kong clinic specializing in eczema care, offers telehealth services to clients with busy schedules and those who travel during treatment. However, clinic founder Harrison Li Kin-cheung believes in-person visits are crucial for building trust with patients, particularly children and their parents. TCM clinics in Hong Kong also provide online consultations, with around 3 percent of Yu Sheung-fung's 30-50 year-old clients using telemedicine.
Yu Fung Chinese Medicine Group has a UK partner that delivers prescribed medication to Hong Kong patients. Despite the convenience of telemedicine, practitioners note "trade-offs" due to the absence of certain diagnostic methods, such as pulse-taking. To address this, practitioners advise patients to ensure a stable internet connection, sufficient lighting, and a quiet environment for online consultations.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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