Interesting. Does your country have any restrictions on carriers for providing/receiving health information?
Discussion
Carriers have to comply with medical privacy rules and are not allowed to share such data commercially .
Nostr is not a platform, therefor it would be difficult for authorities to ensure compliance ..
As a consumer I’d be probably scared of data retention, even appointment requests. With the protocol I don’t think I can even delete a typo. I wouldn’t have to give you my real name, but that would limit your ability to provide referrals/Rx.
Would you be combining with some sort of video-chat?
I’d probably want to know what protections I have, what reassurances you’re licensed etc just like in-office
Assuming 100% private billing, no rebates so that part might work well for those without access to subsidized medicine.
As a provider in a different country I think it would be challenging to get green-light from legal (Australia you’re probably looking at a dozen or so pieces of legislation, plus indemnity insurance)
Probably have too good access where I am, (subsidized telehealth, free ED, free nurse run hotlines etc) but can see potential in other parts of the world or if you offered a very specialist expertise
Thanks a lot for this detailed answer with very good points.
When I think about this service, I see it more like a friendly conversation between 2 nostriches, one of which happen to be a doctor and the other sharing his medical condition, looking for advises about it.
This would take place in DM, but if video-chat is added then it would also be possible.
If the “ill” nostrich is happy with the advise he received, he then tip sats to the doctor. No more.
For a more direct and official involvement, Such a prescribing drugs or lab tests, it would require the doc to accept bitcoin as a form of payment in his official practice. In this case, Nostr is more like a way to find like-minded people .
Perhaps a bit like this but nostr based https://www.qld.gov.au/health/contacts/advice/13health ? - from memory the referral rate for this to ED/urgent care was really high, but an MD could provide a more nuanced triage than an RN.
Can’t see any doctors directly accepting bitcoin in my area, so maybe a legit gap in service.
Was thinking if you offer over-border advice, might be good for folk who can’t or not comfortable seeking info in their home town, like family planning, harm minimization.
Hope your project is a success, I’m always keen to see access to healthcare widen
Yes, it would be more or less like this.
These services rely on RN because there are less and less doctors, and medical time is precious..
hence why a nostr based service would be relevant. Once underpaid practitioners (yes, most of them feel like that) realise they can monetise their time and knowledge with sats, I’m convinced this type of service will have a place.
On the patient side, accessing qualified professionals advises easily and quickly will be a no-brainer
Anyways
It’s been great having your input and I will keep u updated 🤙