Virtual visits: how Finland is coping with an ageing population

[nitram]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/26/virtual-visits-finland-remote-care-ageing-population

• Interesting.
• Only of use before dementia takes hold.
• Social inclusion might delay onset of dementia.
• Not excessively costly to set up.
• Low running costs when set up.
• Requires clients (think PC word to use!) to have an appropriate system with internet connection and be happy with the virtual lunch club.

 

[Jaded'n'faded]

I'm sure things like this will work much better in the future when the technology improves and also for the next generation who are more used to tech.

Of course as you say it won't work for dementia (maybe in the early stages) but could probably still be of use to visiting carers to consult GPs, social workers, etc, should they need to.

 

[nitram]

On a more general level about technology involvement.

I go for an annual blood test and BP measurement.

I then have to arrange a telephone consultation (means wait in all day) or book an appt (haven't got any for x days).

An email stating 'everything OK, please confirm no problems and we will issue an electronic repeat dispensing X13 (= one year) so that you can pick up your medication from xxxx - my chosen pharmacy - at will.

Nearly there, got it to the phone consultation stage.

 

[Jaded'n'faded]

I do feel tech systems are only as good as the people entering the data though!

My GP now does phone consults apparently, (probably because you can't get an appointment for weeks ) sends texts about appointments and for test results. I recently got sent someone else's test results instead of my own which was somewhat alarming. When I went to the surgery to explain they were completely unconcerned.

 

[nitram]

It's not just 'tech systems' it's admin as well.

I recently had major surgery and got a copy of a summary as sent to my GP, somebody had used the wrong proforma, I had to explain to the locum at my GPs that they don't have to regularly check my electrolytes as I have a colostomy not an ileostomy.

My next door neighbour got a letter informing her of an appointment the day before which had actually been cancelled because of another cοck up.



.

 

[Lawson58]

It's not just 'tech systems' it's admin as well.

I recently had major surgery and got a copy of a summary as sent to my GP, somebody had used the wrong proforma, I had to explain to the locum at my GPs that they don't have to regularly check my electrolytes as I have a colostomy not an ileostomy.

My next door neighbour got a letter informing her of an appointment the day before which had actually been cancelled because of another cοck up.

I book my GP appointments on line and mostly everybody here uses texts to confirm them. Except for my OH 's geriatrician but then he doesn't have credit card facilities either but we do get a courtesy call a week before an appointment.

We also have a system here that links all our medical records electronically, not for everyone and it is possible to opt out and we can choose who has access to the information. At our age, it's easier than trying to keep track of everything ourselves but it would be impossible for me to get a year's prescription for anything without seeing my doctor. Six months supply at most.