Coronavirus: digital doctor appointments rolled out at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

The hospital is helping patients to access health care from home to curb the spread of Covid-19

A member of the Covid-19 Crisis Cell holds a vial containing Virus Transport Medium (VTM), a substance that preserves nasal swab specimens while being transported to labs, produced at Basra university in southern Iraq. AFP

A man covers his face with a makeshift mask as he carries empty gallons of water, during a lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease in Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters

Aid workers of the group check the temperature of Syrian children, living at a camp for internally displaced persons in northern Syria. AP

An Iraqi man walks past empty coffins in the Washash district, in western Baghdad. AFP

Employees at the Palestinian ministry of health check the temperature of a worker returning from Israel through the Tarqumiah crossing, north-west of the West Bank city Hebron. AFP

A Palestinian man wearing a protective mask sorts food aid provided by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), to be delivered to refugee homes at the al-Shati camp, in Gaza city instead of the usual distribution at a UN centre in the city, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP

Teachers volunteer their time to help make bodysuits amid the Covid-19 outbreak at a Vocational and Technical Anatolian School in Istanbul, Turkey. Getty Images

This combination of pictures shows medical staffers on the frontline treating patients of the Covid-19 pandemic: (top L-R) Sait Gonen, 59, Professor and Dean of the Istanbul University Cerrahpasa medical faculty; Fatma Dinc, 33, a nurse; Professor Yalim Dikmen, 56, a doctor as intensive care specialist; Nurgul Tayran, 47, a registered infection control nurse; (middle L-R) Ozlem Hatip, 40, a nurse; Mehmet Sakirsahsi, 47, a member of cleaning staff; Semra Kacar, 44, a nurse; associate professor Kenan Barut, 42, a doctor at the pediatric clinic; (bottom L-R) Gokberk Guler, 28, a doctor; Nilay Simsek, 43, a chief nurse; Cebrail Karaca, 33, a doctor in the nephrology department; Hatice Degirmenci, 24, a member of cleaning staff, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa medical faculty Hospital. AFP

A teacher monitors a 3D printer making parts for face shields amid the Covid-19 outbreak at a Vocational and Technical Anatolian School in Istanbul, Turkey. Getty Images

Palestinian mounted policemen instruct people at the Gaza beachfront to return home as part of measures to stem the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP

Palestinians welcome relatives leaving the Muscat Medical Center in Khan Yunis after 21 days in quarantine since their arrival to one of the entry crossings to the besieged Gaza Strip, returning from a trip abroad. AFP

An employee at the Palestinian ministry of health sprays disinfectant on a worker returning from Israel through the Tarqumiah crossing, north-west of the West Bank city Hebron to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP

The Erbil International Fair exhibition hall being prepared to receive around 200 Covid-19 patients, in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan Region. According to media reports, the facility has a 400-bed capacity. EPA

King Abdullah II and his son Crown Prince Hussein visit the Civil Service Consumer Corporation warehouses in Zarqa, in the northeast of Jordan, as part of preparation efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP

Workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant on customers before entering a supermarket, during a lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters

Employees of the Covid-19 coronavirus disease operations room of the Saudi Red Crescent (SRC) are seen while on duty in the Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP

Pakistani security officials stand guard as Afghan arrive to cross the Pakistani-Afghan border in Chaman, Pakistan. EPA

Afghans are screened as they cross from Pakistan, at Toorkham border, Afghanistan. EPA

Patients at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi can now pay a virtual visit to their doctor as part of efforts to promote the country’s stay-home measures and help contain the spread of Covid-19.

Forward-thinking chiefs at the Al Maryah Island hospital have launched an app that allows members of the public to discuss medical concerns with its specialists – without leaving their homes.

The initiative is in line with a nationwide strategy to encourage physical distancing and reduce the risk of infection.

By using the virtual visit option, patients who do not require physical examinations can see the doctor and discuss health concerns using their smartphones, tablets or computers.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to practise physical distancing while still being able to access the care they need,” said Dr Madhu Sasidhar, chief medical officer at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

“By leveraging innovative digital technology, virtual visits will enable patients to see the doctor quickly and easily, while protecting their own health and that of our patients, caregivers and the wider community.”

The Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Health Portal – which enables patients to hold a video conference with their regular doctor – is available to download on Google Play Store and the App Store.

Once registered, patients can check in up to 24 hours before their appointment.

A video link is then accessible 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment time.

Dr Madhu Sasidhar, chief medical officer at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, believes the hospital’s new app will allow patients to access vital health services while practising physical distancing. CCAD

Virtual visits are available for all outpatients across all medical specialisms at the hospital, providing the appointment does not require a physical examination.

Medication is also delivered to patients’ homes, removing the need to visit the hospital pharmacy.

“Living with illness can be difficult and disruptive to people’s lives, particularly during a global health crisis such as the one we face today,” Dr Sasidhar said.

“Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is striving to ensure that everyone can get the care they need, when and where they need it, at the same time as helping people to stay home and slow the spread of Covid-19.”

For more information, visit the Cleveland Clinic website.