Doctor’s Appointment goes live

When was your last Doctor's Appointment?

Your next one could be free of cost, on Sunday, March 25, at 5:30 p.m. in the comfort of your home. If you still have questions after 30 minutes, you can also talk with the doctor ... live.

This is the newest feature for the third season of Doctor's Appointment, a half-hour health and wellness television show, hosted by physician and Miss Jamaica World 2006, Dr Sara Lawrence. During the 13-episode season, viewers will be able to interact with a specialist, on social media live from Winchester Surgical & Medical Institute, for 30 minutes after the show's television broadcast.

"Each year, we try to give more value to our audience. In 2016, we launched the first health show on TV, last year we included a weight loss competition, and now we're bringing the resource persons even closer," said Melody Cammock-Gayle, chief executive officer of Maverick Communications Limited, executive producers of the show.

"In an era where almost everyone is glued to their phones or computers and convenience is the buzzword, we thought to ourselves, why not make healthcare more accessible? We are excited about this addition and anticipate that our viewers will be equally enthused."

Doctor's Appointment, which debuted two years ago, has been arresting the attention of audiences here and abroad, as it delves into some of the most common health issues affecting our population.

During each episode, Dr Lawrence interviews experts who define, explain causes, and outline treatment options, while individuals impacted by these maladies share his or her own personal experiences, providing a human interest element to the show.

FOUR MAIN OBJECTIVES

Cammock-Gayle explains that the television programme has four main objectives, with the first being to inform and educate Jamaicans about varying health issues, plus treatment options. Next, she says it aims to encourage viewers to become more proactive about their own health, and to debunk cultural myths that may lead to ill health.

Unafraid to address even the most touchy of subjects, the CEO says the show also showcases some of Jamaica's brilliant physicians who are eager to support any agenda that provides access to credible and up-to-date medical information.

This season, she says, promises to deliver on its promise of world-class healthcare with episodes looking at the respiratory system, various cancers, mental health, behaviour disorders in children, among others.

"Doctor's Appointment is not just another show on TV, it is an avenue through which people can get the information they need to assess, self-examine, make adjustments and put proper planning in place so that they can put their best lives forward," Anntonette Cowan-Palmer, regional manager, NCB Insurance Company Ltd, the show's main sponsor, said in speaking about her organisation's partnership for the third consecutive year.

Doctor's Appointment TV Show returns for Season 3 on Sunday, March 25, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. on TVJ, with a rebroadcast on Thursday mornings at 9 a.m.