Can I Talk to a Doctor Online? Benefits of Speaking to an Online Doctor?

by Goto Doctor Goto_doctor

With internet saturating almost every facet of our lives, we have taken a leap into a world that breathes on wireless connections and lives on a precept of infinite possibilities. From education to entertainment, every niche has opened up a branch in the virtual arena and so it’s not something unusual for health department to book a slot in this regard.

Online Health Services: An imperative Advancement.

The importance of provision of online health services cannot be denied. Fortunately, we have a lot different platforms providing excellent healthcare and allied services to people across the world and it’s not difficult at all to book your appointment and receive quality health care services.

What are the benefits of Online Health Services?

Talking to an online doctor for health care support carries a lot of benefits. To name them, here are a few:

Lazy? Sit Back and enjoy Expert Opinions from The Comfort of Your Couch.

One of the major reasons most people do not receive high quality health care services, is a lack of advanced facilities and skilled professionals in their area. These people have to travel long distances which is a serious barrier towards accessing quality medical services. Luckily, shifting of health care provision to online portals has solved this problem. Now you can talk to high experienced consultants and get expert opinions from the comfort of your homes (you don’t have to travel especially if you are lazy or have a condition that reduces your mobility). (1)

You Want to Save your Money. Don’t You??

It does not take a big brain to understand that talking to doctor online saves your travel expenses. But is talking to a doctor online cheap? Opposite to what one would expect, online consultations are not very expensive. According to a survey by Health Affairs Journal, each time you see an online doctor, you can save up to $88 on average (Now that’s some saving!). (1) Online health services are really cost-effective especially when you don’t have a health coverage. Where a visit to doctor costs around $120 on average, online consultations could be done in as less as $40. These savings can make it easy to have frequent sessions with experts to help better monitor your health status.

You Can Even Get Your Prescriptions!

Now some drugs can’t be bought without proper prescriptions and it’s essential to have yourself examined before swallowing any medicine down your throat. Talking to an online doctor can solve both these problems. After arranging a consultation, you can talk to an expert about your condition and health concerns, receive professional advice and authorized prescriptions that too without having step out of your door. (1)

You Get All the Privacy and Security You Need.

Experts who provide professional advices online follow all the standard protocols and have great work ethics. Everything you tell your doctor is kept confidential and you get all the privacy you need. A plus point of taking to a doctor online is that you don’t have to face impatient and aggressive patients as in a clinical setting. This provides additional security and helps improve the overall experience. Health professionals are obliged to follow Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), passed in 1996, that ensures that all your medical data is completely safe and confidential. (1)

It Can’t Get More Convenient Than This.

Online health care services bring an immense amount of convenience towards accessing medical consultations and advices. You can potentially access expert opinions 24/7, a privilege you don’t get otherwise (you will have to follow a doctor’s schedule in case of acquiring services through a clinical setting). You have a wide variety of skilled professionals to choose from, for your consultation at any time of the day (or night). (2)

Good News! You Won’t Have to Worry About Catching an Infection.

It’s not uncommon to catch an infection from a clinical setting where all kinds of patients come and go (and have a potential of disease transmission). This was pretty evident recently when people did not avail health services because they feared catching coronavirus infection (owing to a high load of corona patients in all healthcare settings). Fortunately, virtual healthcare provision is an easy solution to these problems. (3)

The Bottom Line:

Due to the immense benefits that it has to offer, telehealth is gaining popularity day by day. If you suspect a problem for which you need consultation, don’t waste time and book your appointment now.

References:

1- 8 Benefits of online consultation. [Internet]. Available at: https://www.diagnosio.com/blog/general/8-benefits-of-an-online-consultation-with-a-doctor/

2- Things to know about online doctor visits. Amwell. Available at: https://amwell.com/cm/blog/10-things-to-know-about-online-doctor-visits/

3- Benefits of telemedicine. Hopkins Medicine. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/benefits-of-telemedicine