Exclusive: MDOs withdraw cover for instant text-only consults
One MDO said it had dealt with medicolegal claims that "wouldn’t have arisen" if the doctors had used telephone or video.
Three medical defence organisations have withdrawn or limited cover for patient consults that are based purely on instant messages or questionnaires, citing concerns over misdiagnosis.
It follows draft guidelines from the Medical Board of Australia warning doctors against treating first-time patients via “asynchronous” consultations, such as online messaging.
