There is a new trend in health care: telemedicine. You can get access to a physician and have a consultation from the comfort of your sofa or bed. While online consultations have been around for some time, the outbreak of COVID-19 has fast-tracked the trend. Because of the rapid spread of the virus, medical professionals are now encouraging people to only come to a hospital if it is an emergency. If you are thinking about consulting with online doctors, here are a few things you need to know.
Online Doctors Are Not Inferior
Some wonder whether remote consultations are a fad. They wonder if the level of quality and expertise is the same as an in-person doctor visit. As long as you opt for a quality telehealth company, you get access to top medical personnel. The doctors are screened to ensure they have the right training license and certification to practice. In fact, you may be able to consult with specialists and reputable doctors that otherwise would have been hard to reach. In most cases, you can browse a list of available doctors and opt for the one best suited for your case.
Online Consultations are More Convenient
There are several benefits to having an online consultation instead of going to a hospital or clinic. First, online consultations are more convenient. You can interact with a doctor and get a diagnosis from the comfort of your home. The stress of having to book an appointment in advance and driving to a doctor’s office and waiting for your appointment is gone. You don’t have to interrupt your busy schedule or take time off work – you can book an online doctor whenever the need arises.
Considering sickness worsens when it is not detected early and treated properly, online consultations can be a life-saver. As soon as you feel symptoms, you can book an appointment and get a diagnosis instead of taking a “wait-and-see” approach to avoid the hassle of an in-person visit. The online doctor can help you with the steps necessary to avoid a serious situation.
Prescriptions Are Simple and Efficient
Once a doctor diagnoses your condition, the next step is often to give you a prescription. There are many prescriptions that online doctors can provide without needing an in-person examination. Be sure to get the drugs as soon as possible and start your treatment. If you have a pharmacy near you, all the better. If not, some online health care services can have them delivered directly to your home. Alternatively, you can choose to pick up the medications from a pharmacy of your choice.
Online Physicians Have Some Limitations
Online doctors can remotely diagnose most conditions, including infectious diseases, respiratory problems, oral health, mental health, sexual problems, and skin diseases. However, some conditions will still require an in-person visit. Obviously, if you or someone close to you is experiencing a medical emergency, head to a hospital immediately. Such emergency symptoms include severe injuries, broken bones, burns, lacerations, shortness of breath, head injuries, chest pain, and loss of consciousness. Similarly, there are some prescriptions that online doctors cannot give. You are not likely to get restricted medications, opiates, or sleeping pills through a remote consultation.
Prepare Before a Consultation
In general, the longer you spend on your online consultation, the higher your cost will be. Hesitating and beating around the bush when answering your online physician’s questions makes the entire process longer. Fill out the online form accurately and exhaustively. Have your medical records and history on hand just in case the doctor needs to review them. If possible, write down all your symptoms, so you don’t forget any of them. Depending on your condition, the doctor may need you to stand up and move around, so choose a spacious and conducive room for video consultations.
Do Your Research
These days, with a smartphone and a stable internet connection, you can consult with a doctor from just about anywhere. However, with hundreds of online health care services on the market, it’s hard knowing which one is best for your needs. That’s why before settling on an online health care service, conduct due diligence. Read about various companies and choose the one with the best track record.
