How Health Care can be Virtual

Many people view health care as an in person, in office visit. You have to make an appointment to see a doctor and then wait in a waiting room with other patients until it is your time to be seen. On average, it can take 24 days for a new patient to see a doctor. How is this convenient? With different companies adapting and changing and making things more convenient for Americans, why has it taken our health care system so long to join on in the trend? Companies like Uber and Airbnb and Postmates are successful because they are solving real life problems. Well now the same applies to virtual healthcare. You wake up with a fever and a headache. Imagine being able to book an appointment with your doctor from your phone and be chatting with them in a matter of minutes. Sound too good to be true? Well it’s actually becoming a reality. 

How does it all work? On demand health care has apps and websites that are very easy to use. Through an app or website you are able to schedule a visit when it is convenient for you. You will list your current symptoms, medical history and insurance information at the time of booking. You then will meet virtually with a doctor who will assess your situation and provide you with a diagnosis. There will be a fee associated with the visit that you will be required to pay. And after the visit is concluded there will be a report or summary of what was discussed and recommended. 

There are many benefits to virtual care. The main benefit is the convenience factor. No more scheduling time off of work, finding babysitters, sitting in traffic. You can eliminate all of these stresses out of your life. You can sit in the comfort of your own home and wait for your appointment. Patients are less likely to visit Urgent Care Centers or Emergency Room’s, which frees up space for those who require in person care. Doctors are actually spending more time with their patients when they aren’t seeing them in office. They are able to discuss medical issues in depth and make sure they are providing you with the best care possible. And by doing virtual visits the doctors are actually doing virtual notes. This is getting rid of all the unnecessary paper work that can go into office visits. The administrative personnel’s burden is greatly reduced. It also allows doctors and health care providers to work supplemental hours. They are able to create their own schedule and work at times that best suite them.