Online appointment with a general practitioner - what do I need to know?

Internal medicine, also known as the science of internal diseases, is an extremely comprehensive field of medicine. A doctor specializing in this field - an internist - has knowledge about the functioning of each of the systems in the human body, which provides a comprehensive view of the state of health, and thus broad competence in diagnosing and treating patients. You can consult an internist if you have any doubts about pharmacotherapy (e.g. dosage) or if you want to continue it, if you want to interpret test results or if you simply feel unwell and are not sure what is causing your ailments. 

You can make an appointment with this specialist if you experience, for example: 

• cardiovascular symptoms - e.g. heart problems, high blood pressure, low blood pressure,  

• respiratory symptoms - e.g. asthma,  

• gastrointestinal symptoms - e.g. stomach ache, vomiting, 

• endocrine symptoms, 

• urinary system - e.g. oliguria (rare urination), 

• metabolic - e.g. diabetes,  

• colds - fever, cough, runny nose,  

• dizziness,  

• muscle and joint pain, osteoporosis.

As a patient, you can choose from various forms of consultation with an internist. A teleconsultation is a form of visit that does not require you to leave your home and gives you the opportunity to seek medical help regardless of your location or physical access to a medical facility. If your condition requires it, the doctor will refer you for an in-person visit.

Online internist – what can you expect from a tele-consultation?

An online internist can offer you a similar range of medical care as an in-person consultation. If you are not sure which specialist to see, the best option is a general practitioner or internist. The doctor can verify the progress of the ongoing therapy, remodel pharmacotherapy (change the drugs used so far or modify the dosage), interpret the test results or, if he or she deems it necessary, can issue:

• L4 for patients unable to work,  

• e-referral - for commercial specialist or laboratory tests,  

• If pharmacotherapy is started as a result of a diagnosis or continuation of treatment, the patient will be issued with an e-prescription. 

When is it worth arranging a teleconsultation with an internist online?

An internist will support you with any symptoms. A teleconsultation is a convenient and comfortable form of medical consultation for the patient. If you are not sure what is causing your symptoms, an internist is the best specialist for you. You can receive remote medical assistance online, which is particularly important when an illness makes it difficult or impossible for you to leave the house and travel to the clinic. This way, you do not risk additional health consequences.  

Regardless of the type of appointment, whether in-person or online, you don't have to worry about collecting the documents issued. You can access all your e-certificates, e-referrals and e-prescriptions in your Online Patient Account.  

What tests can an internist refer you for?

An internist often decides on the further course of therapy. Usually, they refer the patient for additional tests that will allow for an accurate diagnosis. An internist can prescribe referrals for additional commercial tests, including:

• diagnostic tests - e.g. imaging and non-imaging diagnostics 

hematological tests - blood count with platelets, reticulocytes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 

biochemical and immunochemical tests - e.g. sodium, potassium, iron, urea, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin levels, 

urine tests - quantitative determination of protein, glucose, calcium, amylase, 

• stool tests - general examination, for the presence of parasites, for occult blood,  

• coagulation system tests - e.g. prothrombin index,  

• microbiological tests - e.g. urine, throat and stool cultures,  

• resting ECG, 

• ultrasound diagnostics - ultrasound of the thyroid, parathyroid glands, salivary glands, kidneys, bladder,  

• radiological imaging - chest X-ray, bone imaging.

Internist vs. family doctor - are they the same?

An internist and a family doctor are two separate medical specializations. An internist deals exclusively with adults. A family doctor, on the other hand, also sees children.

Online internist at Dimedic - the course of the visit/how to prepare for it

1. The first step is to choose the form of the visit - telepractice or video consultation.  

2. You indicate a convenient time slot for the doctor to contact you.  

3. You fill in the preliminary medical consultation form. Remember to fill it in carefully and attach the results of any tests you have had.  

4. If you need an e-prescription to continue your medication, attach the relevant medical documentation or share your Online Patient Account (OPA). 

5. You pay for the consultation, while we forward the form to the selected specialist. The doctor will review it before the telephone consultation.  

6. If you choose a tele-consultation, the doctor will contact you at the selected time slot. Try to be available at that time. The specialist will call three times. Make sure that the correct phone number is entered in the form.  

7. If you choose video consultation, a link to the appointment will be sent to your email and text message during the selected time slot. The doctor will be waiting for you for 4 minutes. 

8. During the visit, the online internist will have access to the form you have filled in. Based on the medical examination, they will decide on the course of further treatment, including the need to issue an e-prescription or e-referral for commercial specialist and laboratory tests.     

9. After the visit, you will receive documents (e-sick leave, e-referrals or e-prescriptions) by e-mail. You can also find them in your Online Patient Account (OPA) or PUE-ZUS, if you use them. You will be notified of their issuance by text message.