Online doctors’ appointments are a great way to have easy, convenient access to healthcare. You can chat with your physician, schedule consultations, and get prescriptions without ever having to leave your home.
Want to learn more? Read on to discover what a virtual medical consultation entails, gain an overview of the benefits and disadvantages, learn how to get a consultation in three easy steps, and get tips on how to prepare for the consultation.
What is an Online Doctor’s Appointment?
It is a virtual meeting with the medical professional, providing you with a convenient alternative to an in-person, physical visit to the medical practice. Although it is not possible for the physician to perform a physical examination in person, modern web communication technology enables a visual inspection. You do not replace the healthcare professional. Instead, you have a consultation from the privacy of your home, using the webcam of your computer or tablet. You still speak to the general practitioner, but you do so remotely.
Advantages and Disadvantages of an Online Doctor’s Appointment
You do not have to visit the clinic or medical practice, saving you travel time and costs. You can schedule consultations at any time. The virtual consultations are often cheaper than physical examinations because you save fuel costs and travel time.
Remote scripting is possible, enabling you to get a prescription for a chronic or urgent care condition when you need it.
If you are disabled, are a senior citizen who cannot travel on your own, or perhaps suffer from a contagious condition, then this a suitable alternative to the conventional physical visit to the medical practice.
The downside is that this type of care does not provide an emergency service. If you are in a situation where you need immediate physical medical intervention and do not have the right equipment, you will have to go the ER or visit a walk-in medical clinic.
It is important to schedule a follow-up in-person visit with the medical professional if the condition does not clear up.
How to Make an Online Doctor’s Appointment the Easy Way in Three Simple Steps
If you are unable to visit the general practitioner in person, then a virtual doctor’s appointment is the answer. You can make the process easy by following these three steps:
Step 1 – Find a Physician for the Virtual Examination
Finding an online doctor is easy with the Find facility offered. Simply choose the speciality and type in the specialist’s name. If you do not have a particular physician in mind, you can leave out the name.
The first thing that you need to do is figure out what type of medical issue you are dealing with. Once you know that, it will be easier for you to find the right type of doctor that can help you out. If you do not yet know in which category your particular condition falls, start with an appointment with a general practitioner, who can refer you to the appropriate specialist if needed.
Step 2 – Register Online to Get Started
Make use of the convenient online booking system to register for the virtual doctor’s appointment. Complete the form with information, such as:
The online system is secure and your information is kept private in the same way as when you visit the medical practice. You thus have the assurance of data and privacy protection. After that, you are ready to chat with the medical practitioner.
Step 3 – Schedule the Appointment and Speak to the Physician
The session reservation is made online, and you receive a confirmation of when it will be. If you need to cancel or move the date or time, you can also do so from the convenience of your home.
How to Prepare for an Online Doctor’s Appointment
Since the physician cannot physically examine you, it is imperative to get the required information ready to help the doctor make the correct diagnosis. Also keep in mind that it is still a professional consultation. To get the most value from the time you spend online, make sure there will be no distractions.
What to Do Before Your Doctor’s Appointment
Here is what you need to do before the consultation:
Prepare the Information Before the Virtual Doctor’s Appointment
Apart from setting up the room and technical equipment, you need to prepare information. For this, write down your medical history and list the problems you want to discuss with the physician. If you have tracked blood pressure, temperature, your heart rate, blood sugar levels, and weight, have the information ready.
Take pictures of the condition beforehand and have these ready to share. You can use screen share for this purpose. As an alternative, find out if you can email the pictures or share these in a secure folder with the physician. If you have the pictures printed, have them ready to show to the physician. Dress as if visiting the practitioner in person.
Let the medical practitioner know what you have done up to now to treat the condition. List all medications used and steps taken prior to the consultation.
Key Takeaways
A virtual doctor’s appointment provides you with a convenient remote way to still receive expert medical advice and diagnosis. It is not meant as a replacement for in-person consultations but is a solution if you cannot visit the medical practitioner or clinic.
Making an online doctor’s appointment is easy. Determine the category of your condition and find the specialist, using the Find facility. If unsure about the category, schedule a session with a general practitioner of choice by using the Intercare central online booking system. Prepare for the consultation by following the guidelines discussed in this article. Visit our FAQ section for more information about virtual consultations.