The first teleconsultation booths appeared last April, in two Monoprix stores, in Paris and Troyes, in the “Daily health” department. They are produced by Tessan Pharma Express and give access to a medical consultation without an appointment. Recently, four more cabins have been deployed.
Why use medical gondolas?
At the time of their release, a controversy had emerged. The National Council of the Order of Physicians considered that it was a “discount medicine” which, rather than putting the patient in an adapted care path, made it a product to be consumed. They had been criticized for their lack of coherence and continuity, compared to a classic follow-up with the doctor. A criticism that can be addressed to telemedicine in general, moreover.
If the teleconsultations should not replace regular face-to-face follow-up with a attending physician, who is aware of the patient’s history, but they do make it possible to troubleshoot and facilitate access to care: renewal of a prescription, medical certificate… These cabins have the advantage of being accessible without having to have an internet connection and make it possible to obtain an appointment “after waiting 7 minutes on average”, stipulates the press release.
How do the cabins work?
They are easy to use and do not require upfront costsall you have to do is insert your vital card into the machine. Unlike telemedicine carried out at home, they have medical tools such as a thermometer, a blood pressure monitor or a stethoscope. All these instruments can be used with direct advice from the doctor consulted.
The cabin only allows you to obtain a general medicine appointment, but it is also equipped with questionnaires which can refer the patient to an alternative medicine professional depending on their problems : hypnotherapist, osteopath, naturopath,… It is possible to make an appointment directly via the cabin.
Read also:
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- Coronavirus: how does a teleconsultation work?
