Video Consultation
Video Consultation

We remain committed to patient-focused care through video consultations (via phone or computer) for many of our outpatient clinics – allowing you to stay at home and access our world-class services from the comfort of your own surroundings.

Guest services team will contact you to work out preferences and follow up with an SMS confirmation closer to your appointment.

The SMS will provide instructions to guide you through the secure and easy-to-use process once your appointment is scheduled. Since this is a new process, we appreciate your patience should there be any technical issues.

This video shows how patients use Aspetar Video Consultation:

 

What is a Video Consultation?

  • A Video Consultation is a consultation with your healthcare provider via video call.
  • Video calls are similar to normal telephone calls, with the added benefit of being able to see the participants at the other end.

What are the benefits of a Video Consultation?

  • You don’t have to leave your house; this will save you time.
  • All video calls are safe and secure, and just like a face-to-face consultation everything you say is confidential.
  • A Video Consultation is effective and feels similar to a face-to-face consultation.

What are the limitations of a Video Consultation?

  • You must be comfortable to appear on a screen visible to your healthcare provider.
  • Some conditions can be diagnosed and treated by Video Consultation only, but for other conditions a face-to-face consultation or further investigations (like a blood test) are needed; your healthcare provider will tell you if this is the case.

What can I expect?

  • During your consultation you will see your healthcare provider through a screen.
  • For legal and ethical reasons, do not take screenshots or videos of the consultation.
  • You can ask a relative or friend to help you set up and manage the Video Consultation with you.
  • You will get an SMS reminder one day before your consultation.

What do I need to prepare before I start my consultation?

Checklist

  • A smartphone, tablet or computer with a built-in camera and microphone with good internet connection.
  • A private, well-lit and quiet place for talking with your healthcare provider.
  • Your Qatar ID and phone number.
  • Your medications, relevant medical reports, results of all relevant investigations (blood tests, scans etc), list of questions and other information you want to discuss.
  • For certain consultations (for instance physiotherapy and podiatry) you might need to prepare additional material; this will be clarified in separate information leaflets.

 

A Video Consultation with your physiotherapist

These are things you can do to prepare:

  • Wear comfortable clothes that allow freedom of movement.
  • Depending on your injury, the physiotherapist may ask to see your area of injury while you move. This may mean wearing shorts or a shirt that allow the physiotherapist to see you clearly.
  • Your physiotherapist may ask you to perform exercises or movements. Make sure you have an open space of 3 meters by 3 meters to do this in your phone/camera is set up to view this space.
  • If we send you a questionnaires and/or forms to fill before the consultation, please fill these.

Video Consultation with your podiatrist

Because you have chosen a Video Consultation with your podiatrist, we have created this easy checklist to make sure we can make the most of your podiatry appointment.

  • Make a list of specific questions you might have regarding your legs, feet or footwear.
  • Bring all of your shoe together that you are using for sport activities, daily activities and work.  We will be discussing your shoes, so be ready to show and examine them.
  • If you already have foot supports / foot orthotics, have them all nearby. We will be discussing your previous supports/orthotics, so be ready to show and examine them. 
  • If this is the first appointment, we would like to get a good idea of your foot shape. Make pictures of your feet. Have a look at the Podiatry Foot Posture Guide to make those pictures. 
  • If this is the first appointment, we would like to get a good idea of your gait. Make a video of your gait. Have a look at the Podiatry Gait Video Guide to make a short video.

A Video Consultation with your dentist

These are things you can do to prepare:

  • Have a small light torch or the flashlight of a second mobile phone (not the one used for the Video Consultation) available.
  • If possible, have a second person with you to help direct the light and position the camera.
  • Have a wooden tongue depressor or a similar tool, like a tooth brush, to retract your tongue and/or cheeks, available.
  • If we send you a questionnaires and/or forms to fill before the consultation, please fill these.

How do I start my consultation?

This video will show the steps required to start a Video Consultation after receiving a text message from Aspetar:

  • You will receive a link for your consultation that will start the video call via SMS.
  • Start the video call programme 5 minutes before your consultation.
  • Make sure the camera, microphone and volume are switched on.
  • Your healthcare provider will join you as soon as he/she is ready.

What will happen during my Video Consultation?

  • You and your healthcare provider will make sure you can see and hear each other, and that the internet connection is working well.
  • Your healthcare provider will ask to share your phone number, so, he/she can call you if the connection is lost.
  • Your healthcare provider will also ask for your Qatar ID number to ensure that he/she is speaking to the right person.
  • Your healthcare provider will discuss the benefits and limitations of a Video Consultation and ask for your verbal consent.
  • You will have to introduce other people to your healthcare provider, if they are present during the consultation.
  • If you are a minor under the age of 18, consent must be obtained from your parent or legal guardian and their presence could be required.
  • You can talk to your healthcare provider just like during a face-to-face consultation.
  • Your healthcare provider may ask you to show the affected area/location on camera.
  • As usual, your healthcare provider will take notes and record them in your electronic medical record.

How to end my Video Consultation?

  • You and your healthcare provider will discuss if further investigations, prescriptions or follow-up consultations are needed and they will be scheduled.