3G Doctor does not seek to replace your family doctor. We expect patients to be able to appreciate that only through a registered family doctor can the best possible care be provided. 3G Doctor has been created to meet the new and emerging needs of patients - needs that have largely evolved through advances in consumer technology and patient interest in self care.
You will find here introductory answers to frequently asked questions about 3G Doctor, your registration, and the services of our Doctors. Should you require any further information or questions, please contact our practice manager using our Contact Us page.
Q. What is 3G Doctor?
A: 3G Doctor is a service that allows you to video consult with General Medical Council registered Doctors using a 3G Video Mobile. When you register as a patient with 3G Doctor you can also use it to create, store and manage your Personal Health Record which can be referred to by your Doctor during video consultations.
Q. Why was 3G Doctor founded?
A: 3G Doctor was founded to serve the need for anywhere-anytime access to your vital health information and to provide secure and private access to informed Doctors who can help you make the right decisions for your health. While the need to see a Doctor is crucial to the long term management of health problems - advances in technology means a trip to the clinic might not always be in everyone's best interests. The service is also designed to offer a regulated service for people who are using the online world to find health information. We hope that by making “real Doctors” available 24x7 we can do something to counter the growth of unregulated and unprofessional medical practices to ensure patient care and privacy isn't compromised by fraudulent and dangerous services.
Q. Who founded 3G Doctor?
A: 3G Doctor was founded and is owned by its management team. See the team and take a look at our bios by visiting the “About Us” page on this website.
Q. How is 3G Doctor funded?
A: Revenue is generated whenever patients pay to consult with 3G Doctor. We also receive funding from approved advertisers who wish to support anytime/anywhere access to the advice of independent registered Doctors.
Q. Can 3G Doctor replace my regular family Doctor?
A: No. A family Doctor is the best place to receive professional medical care. The 3G Doctor service provides another source that complements the services of a family Doctor. It may be of particular help because: It is often very difficult to access your Medical Records - with 3G Doctor you can update and carry them securely with you at all times. Busy family Doctors are not always available when a patient needs them A trip to your doctor's office may be inconvenient or impossible A 3G Doctor Consultation can reduce or eliminate time away from work or family for minor medical problems. Out of normal working hours a 3G Doctor Consultation for minor medical problems can prevent unnecessary trips to the emergency department. A 3G Doctor Consultation can ensure you're consulting with an informed Doctor who has access to your previous medical history. 3G Doctor will provide you with a written report following the consultation. This can be invaluable in the continuity of your care and is your property for submission to your family Doctor, insurers or employer.
Q. How do I register with 3G Doctor?
A: Registering with 3G Doctor is fast and easy. Simply visit 3gdoctor.com and click to “Consult with a Doctor” or “Access your Health Records”. Then select to “Register with Us” and create a new account by entering your information within the secure web page. You will need to add here your Title, Names, Mobile Number, Date of Birth, Postcode, Email and NHS Number (if you know it). You will also need to create a password (minimum of 8 alpha numeric digits) to register and then whenever you wish to use the service simply log in with your Video Mobile Number and this password. Click here to register now.
Q. What is the 3G Doctor Health Record?
A: This is a pioneering new service created by 3G Doctor that makes it possible for you to create, store and manage your important health information. It will help you in the management of your health care by providing a place for you to safely store a record of all your important health information such as details which can be used to confirm your identity, treatment history, prescription & prescription history as well as allergies and conditions you suffer from. By making you, the patient, solely in control of this section of the site you are assured that this information is only seen by you and whomever you wish to share that information with. Once created you will have a medical record that is viewable anytime and anywhere that you can get a mobile or internet connection. It is very similar to the medical documents that your Hospital or family Doctor may already keep on you except this information is controlled and updated only by you. Some NHS GPs are collaborating with 3G Doctor to make their patient records accessible to our Doctors and you will be able to find out more about this by visiting your GPs website.
Q. Why is your Health Record important?
A: Your personal health record is more than just a copy of all your medical information, collected from all of your doctors, hospitals, and health insurance providers. It is a completely customizable record that you control which will ensure Doctors that you meet with (either remotely or in person) can trust and rely upon.
Q. Why is a 3G Doctor Health Record the best type of Personal Health Record?
A: An online medical record that can be created and retrieved with your personal mobile phone means that you can access your most up to date medical information wherever you are. Because this information is stored by 3G Doctor - the worlds first company to offer mobile video consults with Doctors - you can also benefit from the ability to meet with a Doctor who is informed about your history whenever you want to talk about anything that concerns you. As a self created and managed record your 3G Doctor Health Record not only carries your express authority but also a standard of quality because it is controlled and maintained by YOU - the person who can benefit most from its accuracy. Because your 3G Doctor Health Record contains anything YOU want it can also feature information that is not usually available to any of your carers. This can include details such as your dietary or sleeping habits, activities (such as smoking, or surfing!), your symptoms, and reactions to medications, etc. The 3G Doctor Health Record compares favourably to other forms such as: > paper or digitally stored data carried with you within USB drives or mobile phone memory. These are tedious to update and very easy to steal or mislay. > Hospital or Clinic held files which may be unavailable, out of date and specifically related to a certain intervention.
Q. Why shouldn't I just save this important information on my phone memory?
A: Last year in the UK more than 100 thousand mobile phones were reported stolen. Storing personally identification and confidential health information on your mobile device is for this reason not encouraged. Your 3G Doctor Health Record can be securely viewed and edited using any mobile phone but as soon as you are signed out of the mobile website it is impossible for anyone to retrieve this information.
Q. How can I register my health records for retention by 3G Doctor?
A: Simply log in and select “Create a Personal Health Record” from the options. To make it convenient and easy for you we have built a questionnaire tool that will enable you to efficiently create your health record by simply answering a questionnaire on your mobile phone or PC. Our practice manager will review this in a coded (anonymised) format before it is posted within your personal secure area of the 3G Doctor website.
Q. How should I prepare for making a 3G Doctor Health Record?
A: The 3G Doctor Health Record can be created with your Mobile Phone or any internet connected PC. Dedicate some time and make sure you are somewhere private and comfortable. Make sure you have details of all your medical history including: > Your Medical Insurers Name and policy number > Your Doctors Name, Tel Number and Address > Your current labelled medications > Your next of kin Home and Work Contact details and Addresses > As much of medical information as you can find eg. details/dates of hospital visits, blood type, previous injuries etc
Q. How can I access my 3G Doctor Health Record?
A: Once created all you need to do to access your 3G Doctor Health Record is sign in and click on View Details. Always remember to sign out after you are finished using the service.
Q. How does 3G Doctor keep my healthcare and payment information safe, secure and private?
A: All of the information that you provide on the 3G Doctor site or during the video consults with our Doctors is controlled and read only by you. It can only be accessed by logging in to 3gdoctor.com with your mobile number and password. The only other people with access to this are our Doctors and management staff (who can view it only in an anonymised format). They will only ever be looking at it in order to help and advise you. Whenever they look at this information a record will be made of the name of the individual together with the time and date of the access. Because our reputation is at stake you can be assured that we are constantly implementing new measures to ensure the information on 3G Doctor servers coincides or exceeds all HIPPA regulations (the standard for medical information protection on the Internet) as they develop.
Q. What steps has 3G Doctor taken to ensure my information is being stored securely?
A: 3G Doctor prides itself on having zero episodes of patient information breaches and wants your personal information to remain as secure as possible. We have a two-level security system that combines leading technical safeguards and a strict code of conduct that all employees have agreed to comply with. 3G Doctor uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption technology in transmitting your personal information to our servers, ensuring the integrity and privacy of the personal information you provide to us via the Internet. Encryption involves systematically scrambling numbers and letters, so that even if someone manages to intercept the information, they will not be able to make sense of it. In order to take advantage of this encryption technology, you need to have an Internet browser that will support 128-bit encryption. We recommend Netscape Navigator version 3.0 or higher, or Microsoft Internet Explorer version 3.0 or higher. UK and Irish 3G Mobiles all support this technology. If you have problems contact your network operator who will be able to make sure your settings are up to date. 3G Doctor has a policy of not using Short Messaging System (SMS) or SMTP email to convey patient information or usernames/passwords. By using a secure portal requiring sign in/out the service avoids the issues of Eavesdropping, Identity Theft, Invasion of Privacy, Message Modification, False Messages, Message Replay, unprotected Backups and Repudiation.
Q. How can 3G Doctor offer this service for free?
A: 3G Doctor is designed to open up the potential for pervasive healthcare and provide patients with the direct ability to personally engage with the trusted advice and recommendations of regulated Doctors. In order to create positive outcomes we need to establish direct, informed and personal relationships with our patients. We hope that by providing a service for free, patients can begin to benefit from the always/anywhere access to their important health information and will decide to use our consulting services whenever they need informed advice.
Q. Can I register my Childs medical information with 3G Doctor?
A: No. Currently this is not available as the service has been designed for use by adults only. We are looking at this area closely and expect to offer services for younger people as soon as possible.
Q. If I have a pre-existing condition can I use 3G Doctor?
A: Yes. Patients with pre-existing conditions present no problem to 3G Doctor and pay exactly the same costs for consultations.
Q. Can 3G Doctor access the records I already have with my family Doctor?
A: We are currently working with a group of NHS GP practices to make this possible however at present it is not possible. You can ask your family Doctor for a copy of your records and then upload them yourself at the secure 3G Doctor website. We will then ensure that they are uploaded into your 3G Doctor Health Record. There is a currently a small administrative fee for this service.
Q. Can my family Doctor access my 3G Doctor Health Record?
A: Your 3G Doctor Health Record is yours to provide to whoever you want. It is possible to view it on your mobile device and show it to your family Doctor and we have also made it easy to print so that you can also present a paper copy to a Doctor you are meeting with. After you meet with any Doctor it is also possible to upload any notes to your 3G Doctor Health Record by simply using the contact us page on the website.
Q. Can anyone use 3G Doctor?
A: The service is available to anyone aged 18+ in the UK or Ireland who can use a 3G Video Phone, regardless of age of medical history.
Q. When can I use 3G Doctor?
A: The 3G Doctor Health Record and Video Consulting services are always available 24 hours a day for everyday of the year. Our administration department is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm to help you with any enquiries you have with the service.
Q. Where can I use 3G Doctor?
A: The 3G Doctor website and the services within it can be used anywhere you can get access to the internet on a PC or mobile phone. To make 3G Video consults with our Doctors you will need to be within good reception of an UK or Irish 3G cellular signal.
Q. Why is there a need for 3G Doctor?
A: Unfortunately in the online world there are countless examples of unregulated and unprofessional practice and it's often very hard to know what exactly is on offer. Many of these services are fraudulent and dangerous. Sadly many users feel they have little choice because “real Doctors” who are professionally regulated are difficult to find in the 24x7 online world. 3G Doctor delivers assurance with a written and professionally liable guarantee that you are meeting with a regulated Doctor who is professionally registered to offer their advice.
Q. How can I consult with a registered Doctor through 3G Doctor? 1. Visit 3gdoctor.com and click on “Consult with 3G Doctor” 2. Register by completing a quick form. 3. Credit your Account with £35 using a credit card or paypal 4. Select “Consult with 3G Doctor” 5. Identify the reason you would like to consult by selecting from the drop down list or entering your ailment (eg. depression, headache etc) 6. Select answers to some relevant medical questions 7. Wait for your Doctor to review your report before making a 3G video call to your mobile After the consultation sign in to retrieve a written Consult report from the Doctor you met with.
Q. Can I get a Diagnosis?
A: Yes, unlike the many informational-based services and Nurse Lines, 3G Doctor establishes a relationship with the patient before the Doctor consultation. This enables our Doctors to make a considered diagnosis of illness, recommend treatments and provide invaluable where/what next information.
Q. What are the key benefits for users of 3G Doctor?
A: The 3G Doctor service provides patients with: 1. The ability to Create, Store and Manage their Personal Health Record 2. Confidential and convenient access to a qualified and informed GP for explanations, advice, reassurance and wherever possible a diagnosis.
Q. How can I be sure that I will be meeting with a qualified and registered Doctor?
A: Video Calls from 3G Doctor are only ever made by named, General Medical Registered and contactable Doctors. As part of our recruitment and training programme all Doctors undergo a thorough credentialing process to verify medical licensure, training and education, work and malpractice history.
Q. How do I know that the doctors are well-trained?
A: 3G Doctor only facilitates contact with fully qualified and practising GPs, who have full registration with the General Medical Council and are members of the Medical Defence Union - the longest established professional indemnity organisation - or the Medical Protection Society - the worlds largest Professional indemnity organisation. 3G Doctor's Medical Director personally vets and recruits all of the GPs and is responsible for their training in the skills of 3G consulting. All of our Doctors live and work in the UK and Ireland.
Q. Can I use 3G Doctor instead of my family Doctor?
A: This isn't advisable. 3G Doctor is designed to be another option for you to manage your healthcare when your family GP isn't available (for example in the middle of the night or at weekends) or it is too inconvenient or too costly to travel to your primary care physician for the specific medical need. If for any reason you don't have registration with a family Doctor, a 3G Doctor consultation can be an excellent first line of defence. The following scenarios are typical occasions when patients may feel the need for 3G Doctor instead of their family GP: with thousands of registered patients a family Doctor can sometimes be very busy and unable to schedule a same day appointment. many Doctors insist on patients attending an appointment because they can only get paid for times when the patient comes into the office. Many patients ignore a minor illness because of its disruption to their own workday many patients inappropriately use Accident & Emergency for after-hours care - this is often very time consuming, requires travel and can cost a lot more. Many conditions can be treated by appropriate over-the-counter (OTC) medications. go to the top
Q: Is 3G Doctor designed to deal with medical emergencies?A: No. The 3G Doctor service is designed to handle minor medical problems only. It can be used to provide access to your medical information which can be very useful in an emergency. We also have a 24 hrs nurse led call centre which in the event that our website failed can be used to forward your stored medical history to the official contacts at UK or Irish Hospitals - information on this will be made available to registered patients.
Q. What sort of queries or questions can I ask 3G Doctor?
A: Any questions that would usually be addressed to a family doctor. Typically, members want to discuss a rash, ache or pain that won't go away, the side-effects of medication or surgery, the best vaccination to have before going abroad or for a doctor to explain a diagnosis or treatment already prescribed by their own NHS GP.
Q. Is the service confidential?
A: Absolutely, personal details or details about the advice given will never be passed on to a third party. However, there may be instances when the GP wants to refer a member back to his or her own NHS doctor or another practitioner and will ask the member's permission to forward details about the consultation on to the relevant doctor. All calls may be recorded. 3G Doctor is bound by exactly the same terms as a consult with your own doctor. For more information on the doctor of conduct of UK and Irish Doctors please see the full details at the General Medical Council and Irish Medical Council websites.
Q. What is the difference between the 3G Doctor and the NHS Direct medical advice line?
A: The 3G Doctor service uses a comprehensive interview questionnaire to enable patients to present for review a detailed account of their symptoms and previous medical history before they meet with an informed Doctor in a 3G Video Consultation. The service doesn't use call waiting which can be quite annoying when you're not feeling very well and provides a comprehensive follow up email with a report of the consult and the advice provided. This can be shared with your family Doctor saving you and your Doctor time and preventing you from having to repeat yourself - which can be particularly helpful if it is a condition which makes you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. 3G Doctor is a private service staffed by qualified practising doctors who can provide advice, reassurance and wherever possible a diagnosis. The NHS Direct, is an UK Government funded advice service not available in the Republic of Ireland. It is staffed by untrained call handlers and nurses who are only qualified to provide advice and in many cases they will have to redirect patients to a doctor for further consultation. 3G Doctor has no relation to the NHS Direct service but would recommend its 24 hour telephone help line (0845 4647), Self Help Guide, Encyclopaedia and TV channel as reliable sources of information to patients in the United Kingdom.
Q. What if I need a physical examination or a prescription?
A: 3G Doctor provides a remote care service only. The doctors are highly trained to answer members' queries, but in certain cases they will recommend that a member goes to a surgery for a full check up. Often this can be the extra assurance that a patient needs to feel confident about booking a visit and taking the time off work. In addition 3G Doctor can often suggest a treatment that is available over the counter, although any patient requiring a medicine available only on prescription will also have to visit their GP. Although 3G Doctor can help cut out unnecessary trips to a Clinic, there will inevitably be times when a visit to a Clinic or Hospital is unavoidable.
Q. How much does it cost to use 3G Doctor?
A: £35 per consultation.
Q. Which forms of payment does 3G Doctor accept?
A: We accept paypal, credit and debit cards. All transaction information is protected and secured by Verisign. For detailed information regarding their guarantees and privacy policy, please visit their website.
Q. Can I get anything for free?
A: Yes. Without paying any fees 3G Doctor enables you to register, create a Personal Health Record, Store it and Manage it using your PC and/or mobile phone. This Medical History Disclosure is similar to that you will provide on your first visit to a Primary Care Practice and will include past medical history, previous surgeries, chronic illnesses, cholesterol levels, medications, allergies, etc. Creating and accessing the service on your mobile phone will cost you only your normal data rates (which is inclusive if you have an unlimited data plan). The fee to consult with a Doctor is £35 and most of this is paid to the Doctor with whom you will meet. For this reason the rates that we charge are set by the rate at which we can attract and maintain the services of high quality registered Medical Doctors. 3G Doctor is grateful for support from individuals, charities, associations and companies that can appreciate the exciting new point of care at which 3G Doctor enables patients to communicate.
Q. What do I get for my money when I use 3G Doctor?
A: Once you have completed your Medical Questionnaire your answers will be sent for review by a registered Medical Doctor who is insured to practice by the Medical Defence Union or Medical Protection Society. This will give you the opportunity to discuss complex issues with a caring and informed professional with all the convenience of anytime, anywhere 3G Video Calling. This meeting will also be followed up with the completion of a written report on your consultation by the named, registered and contactable Doctor with whom you met. This can include his or her diagnosis, recommendations and answers to any specific questions that you might have.
Q. Does funding of 3G Doctor conflict with the independence of the Doctors advice?
A: The provision and quality of the independent medical advice we facilitate is managed by our Medical Director and we are very careful to ensure that this is in no way compromised by financial contributors and advertisers involved with the service.
Q. How do I know it's worth it?
A: Anyone can learn a great deal by completing our interactive questionnaire and then having the opportunity to meet with one of our experienced Doctors. Health consumers should be aware that the online world is a place full of inaccurate and misleading information not only provided by the misguided but also by prospectors and charlatans. The provision of fraudulent and unsafe medical services can be very dangerous. We advise you to be cautious of: > Cheap (or even "free") services where you literally get what you pay for > Gimmick questionnaires that ask a few questions and use this to sell you products or to collect private and confidential information from you. > Sites supposedly run by or using real doctors, who refuse to identify themselves or their professional affiliation(s) and registration(s) Search engines are free sources of medical information, but are only of help when you know what to search for! They do not piece together the many clues that your body provides. Not only does 3G Doctor utilise the worlds most advanced interactive patient interview software (developed over 20 years at centres including the world renowned Mayo Clinic and containing over 800,000 branch question/answers) but we also offer the personal attentions of a caring doctor to help you understand what might very well be complicated medical concerns.
Q. How much will my mobile operator charge me for using 3G Doctor?
A: Our Doctors video call our patients so you will not have to pay for the minutes of the video call to your mobile operator. There are charges for using our mobile site on your phone but these are the normal rate you have agreed for data with your operator. Although the data requirements of our mobile site will keep these costs to a minimum we would recommend people who use the mobile internet to get an all inclusive data package.
Q. How old do I have to be to use the service?
A: Access to the 3G Doctor service is currently only available to adults aged 18 years or over who are in the UK or Ireland. Although we are developing a range of services to extend our reach we advise you to seek the attentions of your family doctor if you are aged under 18 years of age.
Q. Why do I need to provide personal information before I can consult with the Doctor?
A: By providing information on your condition and medical history to the Doctor with whom you will meet not only will you both be more prepared for the consult but invaluable documentation of the consult can be made available after the consult. This documentation not only saves time and removes the need for repetition of the consultation process but it can be invaluable in guiding your subsequent care and treatments.
Q. In which countries can I use this service? Those aged 18+ who have a 3G signal in the UK or Ireland can consult with 3G Doctor. Currently, all Doctors consulting through 3G Doctor are based in the UK and Ireland. As physicians from outside of these regions join our networks of Doctors, we will be able to satisfy the regulatory requirements of other regions of the world and provide consultations with patients in other territories.
Q. What do I need to use 3G Doctor?
A: All you need to participate in a consultation with 3G Doctor is a 3G Video Mobile with a charged battery. You must have an UK or Irish mobile number and be able to access the 3G Doctor website with a PC and/or mobile phone. To consult with our Doctors you will need to be able to make a credit/debit card or paypal payment.
Q. Do I have to download anything to use 3G Doctor?
A: 3G Doctor strongly believes that the highly personal and private nature of medical information is not suited to its storage in potentially insecure places and these don't come much more insecure than the take everywhere mobile phone (last year in the UK over 100,000 were reported stolen!). For this reason 3G Doctor believes it is preferable not to have to store confidential information on devices.
Q. If I don't have a 3G Video Phone can I still communicate with a doctor through 3G Doctor?
A: Unfortunately not. 3G Doctor has developed a training programme to prepare Doctors for the video consulting experience. We have been truly amazed by the added value that this highly personal communication technology has brought to the remote Doctor consulting experience and we are confident that it is helping us to deliver better understanding and more care of our patients. Live video calling ensures our patients trust that they are meeting with our named Doctors and have their full and undivided attention.
Q. Where can I get a 3G Video Phone?
A: You can purchase a 3G Video Phone direct from following operators: Vodafone UK, Vodafone Ireland, O2 UK, O2 Ireland, T-Mobile UK, Virgin Mobile, 3 - Hutchinson 3G UK, 3 - Hutchinson 3G Ireland and Orange. Alternatively they are also stocked by the retailers Carphone Warehouse and Phones4u
Q. Will a private insurer cover my 3G Doctor Consultation?
A: 3G Doctor presently does not operate within the managed care system. If you would like to have your health insurer cover your consultations with 3G Doctor, feel free to give them a call and let them know that you wish to have our consulting service integrated into your program with them.
Q. How do I know I am using the genuine 3G Doctor website?
A: To avoid phishing scams and website spoofing ensure that you only access the site www.3gdoctor.com and do not follow any links.
Q. How do I know that the 3G Doctor website is secure?
A: There are two things to check to ensure that you are using a website securely: >Your browser should display a closed Padlock in the status bar. The status bar is normally located at the very bottom of your web browser. > A secure website address must begin with “https://” instead of the usual “http://”. The “s” after the http signifies that the line is secure. If when using 3G Doctor you cannot confirm these two checks please contact us immediately and do not enter any information into the website.
Q. How do I request a 3G Doctor Video Consultation?
A: First, click on the “Consult with a Doctor” box. Register as a patient by entering your details and creating a password. Then complete a medical questionnaire. A Doctor will then 3G video call your mobile after reviewing your answers.
Q. Can I submit images of my problem?
A: When 3G Video Calling the Doctor may wish to see images of the problem. Simply repositioning the camera as directed makes this possible.
Q. Why do I need to complete a questionnaire before consulting with the Doctor?
A: The interactive questionnaire makes sure patients are asked all of the relevant questions about their health before they meet with the Doctor. Because it also allows patients to report anything else of concern it means that you aren't rushed and get as much time as you need to tell the Doctor what is troubling you. When patients prepare their report by completing the questionnaire it can also aid in their preparation for the consult by helping them focus on the particular issues that are of the most concern. By making the answers given in the questionnaire available to the Doctor before the consultation it also makes it possible for the Doctor to prepare by conducting background reading or research before they meet with their patient.
Q. How does the 3G Doctor questionnaire work?
A: The 3G Doctor Questionnaire is built on a patient interview system developed by Professor John W. Bachman, MD, at Primetime Medical Inc. This highly developed patient interview software delivers a rewarding, easy to use method by which to enter concisely your medical history. The questionnaire doesn't work by simply asking “what symptoms do you have?" because patients don't always know qualifies as a symptom and indeed not all symptoms are obvious. Instead it offers simple multiple choice questions that branch according to every individual response to collect the positives and negatives which are then translated into an organized interview summary including clinical terminology along with the positives and negatives according to the pertinent organ system. Although the software asks all the questions it can't make a diagnosis. It simply asks the relevant questions and collects this information for presentation to the Doctor who is trained to interpret this before consulting with you.
Q. Can I see what the questionnaire is like?
A: The 3G Doctor Questionnaire is interactive and so every patient will find it different. It has the ability to probe depths that no single physician has the time, skill or will to deal with and every question offers the option to skip to the next question.
Q. Can I make an appointment?
A: It is not possible to make an appointment but consultations can be requested at anytime. We have Doctors waiting to consult with patients 24 hours a day 365 days per year.
Q. How long does it take for the Doctor to call me?
A: It should be no longer than 1 hour after you have submitted your report. If for any reason we cannot call you back within this time our practice manager will notify you within this time by SMS.
Q. Can I ask advice about alternative medicines or therapies?
A: Yes. The personable doctors that make up our network have been selected for their diverse experiences and skills. Although they may not all have every specialty from their experience and qualified resources they will be able to help you understand most issues or misunderstandings that you may have.
Q. Can I get advice for someone else?
A: Yes. The 3G Doctor service can be used to understand another persons health issues such as someone you are caring for although at present we don't give advice for children because of issues with consent and risks. It is important however to note that the Doctor will only be able to discuss with you the details that you already know so it is important that you do it together with this other person.
Q. Can I choose which type of doctor reviews my case?
A: Yes. 3G Doctor lets you choose the sex of the Doctor you will consult with. In the future you will be able to select from currently available Doctors when you are completing your medical questionnaire. Full biographies will also be posted online to help you make the choice and some Doctors will be available to consult on specialist areas in which they have additional qualifications.
Q. When 3G Doctor calls me how do I know it's really them?
A: When the Doctor does call your mobile it should show as “3G Doctor”. Sometimes - owing to network settings - it may not come with caller id in which care you will see “No number available”. There is the risk that an impostor could call claiming to be a doctor with us. To reduce the likelihood of this we ask you not to tell anyone else when you are using our questionnaire. When our Doctor calls you he or she will first identify themselves and read to you the “memorable phrase” that you have entered on completion of the medical history questionnaire. 3G Doctor will never call you out of the blue. You will only ever be contacted for arranged appointments after completing the 3G Doctor questionnaire and the Consulting Doctor will always reiterate your chosen phrase before proceeding with the Consult. Obviously if you haven't completed a Medical Question the caller should be immediately disconnected and reported to us and the police. To communicate with you 3G Doctor only uses SMS or Email to notify you to log in to read messages which we have left for you in your 3G Doctor Message inbox. Because this is protected by your secure password you can ensure no one else has access to your private and confidential communications with 3G Doctor.
Q. How should I hold the video phone when meeting with the Doctor?
A: Make sure you're comfortable and point the camera so that you can see the Doctor and the Doctor can see you.
Q. What is the maximum amount of time I can spend talking with 3G Doctor?
A: The 3G Doctor consultation is charged for a ten minute consultation prior to the Doctor calling you. This can be extended by the patient during the consultation for any time up and until 30 minutes. This extra time will be charged at a rate of £3.50p per minute for a minimum period of another 5 minutes. This time limit has been set to prevent a patient bill from mounting up too high and from the experience of offering the service since November 2006 we have found that most consults are successfully dealt within a 7 minute video consultation. The limit of ten minutes has been chosen as it will ensure that issues will not need to be rushed.
Q. Is the 3G Video Consultation recorded?
A: No but 3G Doctor reserves the right to do this for training and medicolegal purposes. 3G Doctor consults are no different to a conventional consult in the respect that conversations between you and the physician are private and confidential. The Doctor you are consulting with will make a report following your consult and may take notes during the consult. Patients can also make notes before, during and after the consultation and these can also be uploaded to your 3G Doctor health record.
Q. What happens if I miss the Video Call from the Doctor?
A: 3G Doctor requests patients prioritise the Doctor call over all other non urgent matters in order to get the best value from the service. In the unlikely event that you can't answer the call the Doctor will try on at least 2 more occasions before texting you to notify you that the consult has been cancelled. A cancellation fee of £15 will be debited and a report filed in your personal area of the 3G Doctor website.
Q. Is there a charge if I miss my call from the Doctor?
A: Your consulting Doctor will attempt to call you at least twice after this you will be charged a cancellation fee of £15. We strongly recommend patients only use 3G Doctor when they have the time to consult privately with a Doctor.
Q. What happens after I have consulted with the Doctor?
A: Once your Video Consult with the Doctor is over a report on your reported symptoms and the advice given will be filed by the Doctor. You are strongly advised to review this written report and this can be done by logging into the site with your mobile number and password and selecting to view previous consult reports. All additional information provided by the Doctor such as advice or product recommendations can be found within this report.
Q. What does the 3G Doctor consult report look like?
A: The consulting doctor reviews your answers and based on your face to face consultation produces a written report. Then simply log in with your mobile number and password to download your report. Reports are saved in PDF format.
Q. Can I get referred using this service?
A: Following your video consultation your Doctor will save a medical report within your secure personal area of the 3G Doctor website. This report is your private property and at your discretion it can be printed off and provided to any other clinician(s) including your family Doctor, a Pharmacist or Hospital Consultant. Not only will this be of help to another Medical Professional but this signed document will also provide you with additional assurance that you are seeking the appropriate intervention.
Q. Can I get a Sick Note or Medical Certificate for my employer?
A: No. 3G Doctor gives you a consult report and your employer may accept this as evidence of your illness but it is not a legal document that can excuse you from work. To get a certificate we would refer you to a family Doctor.
Q. How can 3G Doctor help if I am referred to a clinic?
A: We would recommend that you show your report on your mobile screen or by printing it off prior to attending a clinic as it could prove very helpful in helping you to communicate with them.
Q. Whom do I contact if I have questions about my report?
A: Your report has been prepared by the independent Doctor with whom you met. If you have a complaint or issue with your use of our service, please contact us to let us know of your experiences. If you have a follow-up question once you have received your report you may consult with us again whenever you like. The Doctor dealing with your consultation will be able to review your Health Record and any previous consult reports.
Q. Can I get a prescription?
A: No. If the Doctor you consult with feels that your condition would be assisted by the use of prescription medications he/she may suggest you see a practitioner who can provide you with these. 3G Doctor can be used to help you understand the prescription drugs you are taking as well as other types that are available, the effects that they can have on the body, possible side effects and interactions. 3G Doctor can also discuss other treatment options.
Q. Can I get medicines online?
A: 3G Doctor strongly recommends that patients never seek to purchase medicines online. In 2001 a third of the hospital beds in America were filled with patients who didn't take their medicine in the way they were prescribed and annually over 135,000 deaths result from poor compliance with the taking of prescription medicines. Prescription drugs can be very dangerous and for this reason 3G Doctor strongly recommends that patients DO NOT SEEK information on medications from the internet as these sources can often be inaccurate and unreliable. 3G Doctor may advise patients to seek a pharmacist or another Doctors advice in the event that it is felt the patient could benefit from a medicine.
Q. If 3G Doctor refers me to another Doctor do I get a refund?
A: No. 3G Doctor is not a replacement service for a family GP. You must pay for the consultation.
Q. Can I remain anonymous?
A: No. 3G Doctor has taken every measure to safeguard your personal information and ensure that our staff have all agreed to comply with a strict code of conduct.
Q. Advice on creating a password?
A: Your password needs to have a minimum of 8 alpha numeric digits. Make it something that is easy to remember but impossible for anyone else to guess. Your password is used to access your secure part of the 3G Doctor website and protects the privacy of the information you store there. We advise you to never write this down, save it to your mobile or share it with anyone.
Q. What if I forget my password?
A: Simply select "Forgot Password?" next to the sign in page. To retrieve your password you will need to fill in your mobile number, forename, surname and postcode. It will then be emailed to the desired email address that you used when creating the account. If you no longer have access to this email account and need it changing, please Contact Us
Q. Can I change my email address?
A: First login with your Mobile Number and Password. Then select "Edit Details" and make the necessary edit to your email address. Once you select to update your details our email contact detail for you will be immediately be updated.
Q. What if I change my video phone number?
A: To change your mobile number simply log into your personalised care area and select to “edit details” where you can change this. Numbers that have already been used to register will have bars on them. Please Contact Us in the unlikely event that this problem arises.
Q. Do I have to be seen in every consultation?
A: You have no reason to feel nervous about seeing our Doctors while they consult with you. 3G Doctor has selected each and every Doctor for their personable skills as well as medical experience. Although Video Calling is still a relatively new form of communication we're sure you will find that it enhances the quality of your communication with our Doctors.
Q. What conditions does 3G Doctor have to ensure my privacy?
A: Our Doctors are all qualified practicing Doctors. They are registered and work under the code of practice of the General Medical Council. This ensures that they will treat your personal information as securely and privately as would your family doctor. All members of our staff have agreed to comply with a strict code of conduct, have only monitored and trackable access to patient information and unless necessary they can only view patient data in a completely annonymised format.
Q. How do you handle my valuable private data?
A: The Data Protection Act doesn't guarantee personal privacy at all costs, but aims to strike a balance between the rights of individuals and the sometimes competing interests of those with legitimate reasons for using personal information. It applies to some paper records as well as computer records. 3G Doctor: only stores information that it really needs on a patient is always able to justify exactly what it is going to use it for always makes it clear exactly what information it holds and what it is to be used for will pass on personal information where it is legally bound to do so but will always inform the patient of this is only holding information in a secure place and enabling access with SSL standards limits access to personal information to those with a strict need to know data is destroyed from the servers as soon as a patient wishes to have it removed. An offline backup copy is securely retained for medicolegal purposes all staff are trained in their duties and responsibilities under the Data Protection Act
Q. Does 3G Doctor have a Privacy Policy?
A: Yes. On the website we maintain an up to date Privacy Policy. Your privacy is important to 3G Doctor and we understand that health is a very personal, private subject, and that as a patient you need to feel as comfortable as possible visiting our website and consulting with our Doctors.
Q. Can I get help with the 3G Doctor website?
A: Please use the Contact Us page to provide us with a detailed description of your problem.
Q. Can I use the same doctor or can I get a different one every time?
A: Doctors are automatically selected from our network depending on their individual skill sets and the fit of these with the patient medical report produced by the answers given to the questionnaire.
Q. How is 3G Doctor different from any other service?
A: 3G Doctor is the world's first and only public healthcare service that uses 3G mobile technology. 3G Doctor offers you wireless Video Call access to the advice of a caring professional Doctor. Furthermore nearly all proceeds from your payment go directly to the doctor with whom you met. Whilst not all our services are free we never have hidden charges. Many other online health advice services are provided by companies that are trying to sell you their product(s). 3G Doctor is in no way such an advertising gimmick: when you pay to consult our Doctors you get the impartial advice of a qualified registered Doctor.
Q. What types of problem can 3G Doctor help?
A: An individual may consider the use of the service when confused with contradictory medical information. The Internet offers a seemingly endless amount of health information of varying quality, even some of the very best health portals may offer poor quality, inaccurate and out dated information. All of this may also be encountered at a time when a patient can be compromised through emotional pressures and stresses. 3G Doctor can also help when you want to get a second opinion: a) When unsure about a discussion you've had with a doctor b) When unsure about a treatment that you are already receiving c) When unsure about a medical term or condition that you may suffer from d) When unsure about a medical term or condition that a friend or loved one may suffer from e) To help reduce the stress generated through concern about your health f) To get an independent new person to discuss your concerns with. The service is not for use in the event of an emergency. Nor is it designed or provided in a way that it should be used instead of a family doctor. We assume that users appreciate that meeting with your registered family doctor is the best place to find medical care.
Q. Am I being evaluated by a Doctor or a computer?
A: At 3G Doctor only registered Doctors make decisions. Technologies are used such as the Interactive Questionnaire but these only present your medical information and answers to the consulting Doctors who make their decisions following a consultation.
Q. Does the 3G Doctor site enable self-diagnosis?
A: No. Although the internet may offer various online games and tools that can give you the information you need to make a self-diagnosis, many of these are unreliable and potentially dangerous. 3G Doctor only provides the advice and diagnostic services of registered Doctors.
Q. Does the 3G Doctor Questionnaire suggest a diagnosis to the Doctor I will meet with?
A: No. The Medical History taking Questionnaire only reports your answers to the Doctor. Diagnosis and advice is only ever the personal opinion of the independent registered Doctor with whom you met.
Q. Does 3G Doctor consider the environmental impact of its services?
A: 3G Doctor has a company policy to care for the environment and we are very proud of our green credentials. Not only have we created a completely paperless administrative system but whenever we do print on paper we use recycled paper and refilled printer cartridges and have systems in place to recycle all waste. Above all this we hope that by providing the ability for our patients to consult with a Doctor without the travel energies, facility heating and cleaning products etc. that are used in the normal primary care system we hope that the impact of our system on the environment has a much smaller toll on the resources of our planet.
Q. Is my phone compatible with 3G Doctor?
A: To use the 3G Doctor services you need a 3G Video Mobile and 3G connectivity. This is available with the following mobile network operators (in no particular order): “3 - Hutchinson 3G UK”, “3 - Hutchinson 3G Ireland”, “Vodafone UK”, “Vodafone Ireland”, “O2 UK”, “O2 Ireland”, “T-Mobile UK”, “Virgin Mobile” and “Orange”. Most 3G Video Mobiles will access 3G Doctor mobile website easily via the internet browser on the phone. It is also possible to use a PC to request a video consultation on your mobile. To receive a Video Call from the Doctor you will not need credit on your phone account but you do need to be in an area of good 3G reception and have a well charged battery. Because the Doctor will be video calling you to consult there is no problem with credit and you won't have the charge appear on your mobile phone bill.
Q. How do I terminate my registration with 3G Doctor?
A: Simply log in and use the Contact Us page to notify us of your intention and we will delete your files from our secure database.
Q. What if I have a problem with my 3G Video Mobile?
A: For problems with your handset or data settings please contact your mobile operator. 3G Doctor Support Center 3G Doctor is happy to help with any problems you have with the service or your operator, please call or text us on +353876745287 with details of your problem. The support centre is open during office hours (9am - 5pm). At all other times, we take messages and get back to you as quickly as we can.
Q. Can companies enrol their employees with 3G Doctor?
A: Yes. 3G Doctor can deliver great value to businesses and avoid the conflict of interests that exist in the use of company employed Doctors. Companies that are self-insured can realize immediate cost savings by enrolling all their employees and their dependants with 3G Doctor. In addition to actively encouraging wellbeing and healthy lifestyles amongst staff, membership with 3G Doctor can also save a company money by replacing costly and unnecessary trips to the doctor's office or Accident & Emergency with a more cost effective and convenient medical consultation service.
Q. Will joining 3G Doctor affect my health insurance?
A: 3G Doctor is unrelated to your medical insurance. 3G Doctor is NOT insurance. Instead it is a new value-added medical benefit, designed to empower today's mobile users with regulated and timely health advice and information. It may be that your insurance company will reimburse you for out of pocket spending with 3G Doctor but it is best to check with them first.
Q. What if I am interested in working with 3G Doctor? As the popularity of 3G Doctor grows it is vital that we continue to attract the very best and most experienced Doctors to support the care of our registered patients. Doctors must be licensed with the GMC or IMC although we are also seeking Doctors registered in other international territories to help with our international expansion plans. Applicants must be comfortable with using a computer and be interested in utilising telemedicine to support patient self care. We offer excellent training, a competitive income and a satisfying professional experience. If you would like to learn more about practice opportunities with 3G Doctor please Contact Us via the website.
Q. Why are there so many questions!
A: The human body is extremely complex and there are thousands of possible conditions and hundreds of related signs and symptoms. That's why even very wise people can have problems finding health information online. The advice and support offered by the Doctors you can consult with through 3G Doctor does far more than simply connecting a few obvious symptoms to a few common conditions and it does this in the safest possible way, maintaining the highest standards of quality service and offering these to each and every patient.