When you need to see a doctor, there are many things that can get in the way. You may have trouble rearranging your schedule, you may have a contagious illness that you don’t want to pass to other people, or you may simply not feel like leaving your home. Fortunately, thanks to the rise of telehealth services, it is now possible to see the doctor without ever leaving the house.
What Is Telehealth?
Telehealth services are services that utilize digital data and communication technologies to allow patients to access healthcare services remotely. The most common form of telehealth service is the online doctor appointment, which connects patients to healthcare providers over video chat. There are many benefits to this type of service, which make it a preferred option for many patients.
Benefits of Seeing a Doctor Online
Although this technology may not be appropriate in every situation, seeing a doctor online offers many advantages over in-person appointments. Some of the advantages you may enjoy if you opt for an online doctor instead of a traditional appointment include:
1. Convenience.
Perhaps the most obvious benefit of having an online doctor appointment instead of the traditional in-person appointment is the convenience. These appointments are inherently more convenient for both the healthcare provider and the patient, allowing for more scheduling flexibility and less hassle for everyone involved.
2. No need to travel.
Another benefit of scheduling a doctor’s appointment online is that you are able to attend the appointment from any location that has internet access. This means you don’t need to travel to a clinic, hospital, or doctor’s office. Instead, you can have your virtual meeting at home or even at work if your employer allows.
3. No need to take time off work or rearrange your schedule.
When you schedule your doctor’s appointment online, you won’t have to dedicate as much time to travel to the appointment, sitting in the waiting room, speaking with your healthcare provider, and traveling back home. In fact, most patients who schedule their appointments online will not have to rearrange their schedules much at all. You can simply log on to the appropriate program at the time of your appointment, speak with your healthcare provider virtually, and move on with your usual activities.
4. Less wait time.
Traditional doctor’s appointments usually involve a significant amount of wait time, depending on the situation. In some cases, you may find yourself sitting in the waiting room and exam room for an hour or more waiting to see the doctor. If you attend a virtual doctor’s appointment instead, however, you won’t spend nearly this much time waiting. Instead, you will typically be able to see the doctor at your designated appointment time, allowing you to complete your appointment with as little time wasted as possible.
5. No risk of infection transmission.
One of the primary risks of going to an in-person doctor’s appointment is the risk of contracting an illness. In hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices, there are often multiple people who have contagious conditions, such as colds, the flu, or COVID-19. When you come into the waiting room and exam rooms, you may be exposed to pathogens as a result. However, when you opt for an online appointment instead, you won’t face any of these risks. In addition, if you are carrying a contagious illness, you won’t have to worry about accidentally passing it on to anyone else.
6. Versatility.
Online doctor’s appointments cannot be used for every possible need. However, these appointments are still highly versatile. As long as your visit to the doctor doesn’t require a comprehensive physical examination, in-office testing, or showing the doctor a part of your body that cannot easily be seen over video chat, you can most likely attend the appointment virtually. Virtual appointments are appropriate for:
- Prescription refills
- Follow-ups to previous in-person visits
- Questions about specific symptoms that don’t require an exam
- Questions about skin rashes
7. Better compliance.
Attending your doctor’s appointments is important. However, when you are relying on in-person appointments, it can be much harder to make it to every visit. You may have trouble finding transportation, making time in your schedule, or simply feeling well enough to leave your house for the appointment. Online doctor appointments are much less inconvenient and stressful, making it easier for you to see the doctor more often and get the care you need.
8. Good quality care.
Doctors providing telehealth services have the same credentials, training, and experience as doctors who conduct in-person appointments. This means that you can feel confident that you will receive the same quality of care when you attend a virtual appointment as you would in the office. In fact, the majority of patients surveyed report that online doctor visits are just as good as seeing the doctor in person.
Online doctor visits are an excellent alternative to visiting the doctor in person that can be used in most situations. If you are interested in virtual visits but aren’t sure whether this type of service would be appropriate in your situation, consider speaking with a healthcare provider for more guidance.