Comparison · Telemedicine vs. house-call
rab vs telemedicine
rab vs telemedicine is a care-pathway comparison that shows when RAB Arztbesuche's private medical home visit in Berlin is the faster alternative — with a licensed physician daily from 6 am to midnight.
Platforms like Kry, Zava, TeleClinic and Online-Praxis offer fast video consultations and digital prescriptions. For many questions that is lean and practical. But the moment a physical exam, auscultation, ECG or rapid test is required, the digital consultation hits its limit — and the rab house-call begins.
Medically reviewed by Susanne Reiche · Last reviewed
What video can do — and what it can't
German telemedicine has matured considerably since 2020. Providers like Kry, Zava, TeleClinic and Online-Praxis robustly cover a defined set: simple infections, repeat scripts, follow-up advice, photo-based dermatology, mild first-time sick notes. Within that scope they are fast, affordable and easy for private patients to use.
Once a real physical examination is needed — lung auscultation for a cough, abdominal palpation for pain, otoscopy for ear problems, ECG for palpitations, urine dipstick, blood pressure on exertion — the platform reaches its limit. That is where the rab house-call comes in: the same 'doctor to me' comfort, plus the full clinical exam that a serious diagnosis rests on.
Honestly — both have a place
For a second antibiotic prescription after a clear diagnosis, a video consult is fine. For unclear acute abdominal pain, fever of unknown origin or chest pressure, it is not. When in doubt, choose rab — a physical exam can confirm or refute a diagnosis; a video call cannot.
Emergency? Dial the emergency number
If unconscious, with severe chest pain, breathlessness or heavy bleeding, dial 112 immediately. Our service complements the emergency services — it does not replace them.
Comparison
| Aspect | rab Berlin | Telemedicine platforms (Kry, Zava, TeleClinic, Online-Praxis) |
|---|---|---|
| Examination | On-site physical exam, ECG, rapid tests | History and visual exam via video |
| Availability | Daily 6 am – midnight in Berlin | App-dependent, often 24/7, short slots |
| Cost | GOÄ invoice, around €150–350 | Flat rate around €25–60 per consult |
| Prescribing scope | All prescriptions, controlled drugs after clinical review | Limited scope, mostly standard medications |
| Sick note | Up to the regular full duration | Often only 3 days, first certificate only |
| Language | German, English, further languages in the team | Platform-dependent, often German/English |
| Suitable cases | Acute infections, abdomen, heart, airways, otitis and more | Repeat scripts, simple cold, clearly visual findings |
When rab is the better choice
- You need a physical exam, auscultation, ECG or labs
- Symptoms cannot be safely assessed by video
- You want every output from one source — prescription, sick note, report
- You have pain, breathlessness, high fever or unclear symptoms
- You want personal, in-person contact and trust
When telemedicine is the right choice
- Clearly defined routine matters (repeat prescription, simple cold)
- You are mobile-limited or travelling and only need an assessment
- Visually well-defined findings (e.g. a skin rash)
- You want a cheap digital first consultation and a recommendation
Frequently asked questions
Can telemedicine reliably clarify my symptoms?
For clearly bounded and well-describable symptoms, yes. For anything that requires listening, palpation or measurement, no — that is a clinical limit, not a platform issue.
Does rab also issue digital prescriptions?
We write the prescription on-site during the house-call, or send it digitally and GDPR-compliantly — whichever the patient prefers.
Is telemedicine cheaper?
Yes, considerably. A video consult is usually €25–60; a private house-call under GOÄ runs €150–350. The price gap reflects the examination scope, not medical quality.
Can I try telemedicine first and book rab afterwards?
Of course. Many patients use a video consult to find out whether their symptoms need a physical exam, and only book rab once it's clear they do.