We’re always on the look out for examples of people using Skype to do good work, and this week I caught up with two people in the healthcare profession who make great use of Skype video calls:

Sarah Whittaker RSHom, Phoenix Homeopathy

Phoenix Homeopathy offers Skype video consultations to patients, and Sarah told me about how Skype’s allowed her to expand her homeopathy practice from the UK across the world:

I find Skype incredibly helpful in my practice: it means that, subject to local laws, I can hold homeopathic consultations with clients worldwide — this sounds obvious, but it's changed the entire feel of my practice from one servicing a local community, to one with clients in Europe and worldwide.

And why video is so important:

The crucial thing is that, with a webcam, using Skype I can see my patients as well as speak with them: this means that I don't lose valuable non-verbal information (physical characteristics, gestures, tics and so on). Phone is fine for chattier and more open patients, but more reticent people often tell me a lot about their case by their body language — I can see if telling me their symptoms is making them upset, for example.

Dr Jules Eden, e-med

e-med also offers Skype video consultations with UK-based GPs, and Jules says the people who benefit most are the disabled and elderly:

We also have a lot of MS sufferers on our books, and for them to have to negotiate public transport or London traffic if wheelchair bound is a nightmare — so Skype is perfect for them.

Do you use Skype to improve people’s lives? If so, do get in touch — it’d be great to hear from you.