A member of the Jordan Medical Association (JMA), Dr. Hazem Al-Qarala, Tuesday said that telemedicine is not a substitute for a doctor’s visit.

He justified his statement saying that while some medical conditions can be managed and treated through telemedicine, they are limited and many require patients to be physically present at the clinic.

He pointed out that the term "telemedicine" is not new, and many countries have been practicing it for some time.

There must be a proper electronic medical documentation system in place for the successful implementation of telemedicine, he said.  It is useful in certain cases and for specific services, he added.

Qarala told Roya that the term was coined during the coronavirus pandemic, due to the widespread of medical consultation and treatment through online platforms.