Telemedicine: When Is an Online Doctor Consultation Preferable to a Physical Visit?

Most people are used to making a doctor’s appointment so that they can see the doctor in person. However, because of the pandemic, the advent of e-consultations has definitely taken over the atmosphere. More and more doctors prefer to use this method because it not only saves them time, but also helps them provide their patients with the attention they need for concerns that aren’t very serious. Telemedicine is emerging to the next level making healthcare more accessible.

At the same time, this can leave some patients feeling as if they’re not being taken seriously. So when is the right time to choose a physical doctor’s visit over an online consultation?

The Curbside Consultation

The curbside consultation is actually fairly common, even for a private GP. They are a pretty informal situation where a person has a concern and asks a medical doctor for advice. The doctor passes on information in an informal manner that validates, informs, or directs seeking further care for the person’s condition. The majority of primary care providers report that they experience at least 3 curbside consultations per week.

Although these types of consultations can help to fill in some gaps, there are some downsides to this kind of “treatment,’ including providing potentially inaccurate information, the obvious lack of documentation, these consultations are not billable, and it doesn’t fit into the usual workflow of the medical practice.

The E-Mail Consultation – Telemedicine

E-mail consultations are also considered informal settings because they are managed outside of the electronic health records and don’t require any data review. They work well at bridging any gaps that might be taking place in care and provide easy access to patients to pose questions to medical doctors about questions or concerns they might have. However, it can be difficult to transfer this kind of information to a patient’s medical record, leaving it a bit incomplete.

The Video Consultation – Telemedicine

When you can’t speak to a medical doctor face-to-face, the use of computer cameras can help to facilitate that kind of communication. Videoconferencing software is used to exchange information with the patient in a synchronous manner that allows both parties to be remote. This can save a lot of time for the patient from having to drive to the doctor’s office and sit in the waiting room.

Keep in mind, however, that this kind of consult is considered informal because the response of the physician is not typically formalized and the information isn’t usually reliably entered into the patient’s record.

The Electronic Consultation

This is a formal asynchronous consult that takes place between providers. It requires the use of a web-based platform where the patient’s health information is exchanged in a protected manner. This is very effective at getting information from one physician to another so that there is a more cohesive treatment plan for the patient that can vastly improve their health, without the patient actually being present.

The eConsult also works well at taking care of patients’ concerns without having to make a physical trip to the doctor’s office, especially if they are minor. It has certainly removed some of the workload from doctors’ shoulders who don’t have enough time in the day to see all of their patients.

But does that mean that eConsults are the only way to go? Are they appropriate all the time?

When Is Medical E-Consultation Okay?

Electronic consultations are appropriate when:

• There are minor illnesses, such as coughs or colds, allergies, and sore throats. They are easy to diagnose and typically don’t require a doctor’s visit.
• Prescription refills for chronic conditions can be easily taken care of through an electronic consultation. This saves time on going to the doctor’s office and the patient can get their refills sooner rather than later.
• Follow-up appointments usually don’t take very long, so with the use of video technology, the doctor can see how well the patient is improving and answer any further questions they may have.

When is Medical E-Consultation Inappropriate?

There are some circumstances where an electronic consultation is not the appropriate avenue for receiving medical advice.

• There are changes in medication. A physical examination and a review of medical history is typically required, and the changes to medication should be discussed with the patient in person.
• An emergency situation requires immediate medical attention that a video conference cannot handle. A person who has chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, or has lost consciousness should seek emergency medical care immediately.
• New symptoms can arise, and that should be brought to the doctor’s attention in an in-person visit. A physical exam and diagnostic tests need to be conducted.
• Medical conditions that are complex may not be suitable for electronic consultations because of the careful monitoring that they require.

The Cons Of Telemedicine

Although electronic consultations have provided a wide range of benefits, such as easy access and savings on healthcare costs, the system isn’t perfect and does have some drawbacks to it.

Firstly, there is a lack of physical examinations with patients, meaning that vitals like blood pressure and cholesterol tests aren’t taken as often as they should be. This could lead to gaps in medical information that could have prevented certain conditions or illnesses.

Secondly, the use of technology isn’t without hiccups. Technical glitches can happen all the time, such as frozen videos or the audio cutting out during an appointment. There is also no setup that every doctor’s office uses; some only require you to click on a link to get access, while others require downloading an app in order to have or schedule an appointment.

Lastly, not everyone can use video for appointments, especially for those who have lower incomes. This reduced access can make it even more difficult for those who already struggle to get an appointment with the doctor.

There are pros and cons to electronic consultations that should be kept in mind when deciding specific types of treatment. Making it as accessible as possible will also be a great benefit for those who aren’t able to make the long trip to the doctor’s office. Be sure to speak with your primary care physician to see what your options are when it comes to safeguarding your health.

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