Chucking a sickie has taken on a new meaning over the past two years, but calling in sick to work is easier than ever.
A game-changing phone app designed by three pharmacists will allow Australians to get a sick note without leaving their beds.
The app, Sicky, connects patients with pharmacists for a free health assessment via video call. Patients will be asked a few questions, allowing the pharmacists to determine whether they are too sick to work or study.
Camera IconSicky app co-founder Avinash Vazirani said the groundbreaking app would ease the pressure on doctors and drastically reduce infectious activity in waiting rooms. Credit: News Corp Australia
Sicky app co-founder Avinash Vazirani said he and his two co-founders created the app to free up waiting rooms and ease the pressure on doctors.
“Whether it’s a killer migraine or this season’s flu, Sicky makes sense compared to seeing a health professional face-to-face,” he said.
“Open the app from the comfort of your bed, answer some simple questions with one of our health professionals, and you’ll have a sick note issued within minutes.”
Mr. Vazirani believes the app will “single-handedly assist in preventing the spread of viruses and other illnesses” by removing the need to visit a doctor or pharmacist while ill and contagious.
He said the app was an Australian first that would save people time, money, and a troublesome visit to the local GP.
Camera IconThe Sicky app allows people to apply for a sick leave certificate for up to two days. Rob Leeson Credit: News Corp Australia
A sick leave certificate from Sicky will cost users $19.95, but Mr. Vazirani noted doctors could charge up to $60 for an appointment.
“When you consider $36.30 of that $60 figure is how much the government pays, you’re helping out our economy by being less of a burden to our healthcare system,” he said.
To ease pressure on busy doctors, Sicky employs pharmacists who can issue sick leave certificates and assess conditions that don’t require a physical examination.
“Pharmacists go through four years of degree qualifications, and there are many primary healthcare conditions we can assess through speaking and seeing the patient,” Mr. Vazirani said.
The app also provides insight into when and why people are getting sick. It was launched just after the Covid outbreak and has been used by more than 30,000 Australians.
Camera IconThe app’s creators believe it will reduce the spread of infectious viruses in doctors’ waiting rooms. iStock Credit: Supplied
Unsurprisingly, data from the app showed the number of people wanting a sick note spiked dramatically following a public holiday. Sicky recorded a 42 percent increase in people calling in sick to work after a long weekend.
“Quite often, it’s because our patients have overindulged or have mixed with infectious people while socializing,” Mr. Vazirani said.
With this groundbreaking app, Australians won’t need to leave their beds to get a sick note to send to their bosses.
