Online consultation with a doctor - pros and cons

The rapid development of telemedicine is a global trend. It is due to the fact that the world's population is growing rapidly, and the increase in the number of qualified doctors does not show such a pace. In addition, online consultations can significantly save time and protect patients from the risk of long trips to a hospital or clinic. The development of digital technologies in medicine for older people and people with disabilities is especially relevant. What are the pros and cons of online doctor consultations and why can’t they yet replace a full face-to-face meeting?

Online medical consultations – why is it convenient?

The main advantages of online appointments for patients are:

• availability - digital communication channels allow patients to seek help from doctors who may be located not only in another city, but also in another region or even country. This is especially true if there is no specialist with the required qualifications or experience in your locality;
• saving time - by making an online appointment with a doctor, patients do not need to waste their time traveling there and back, as well as tedious waiting in line;
• safety – visiting a clinic or other medical facility, contact with other patients always carries a risk of infection;
• comfort – you can get qualified consultation from a doctor directly at home, in the most comfortable and familiar environment;
• maximum level of anonymity - for some patients, maintaining confidentiality is important, and visiting a clinic or hospital, unlike the online format, does not allow this to be done completely;
• cost-effectiveness - in the case of paid medical services, online consultations for patients are usually cheaper than offline meetings with a doctor.

Disadvantages of using online medical consultations

The disadvantages of telemedicine consultations are:

• limited diagnostic capabilities - the screen of a smartphone, tablet or computer does not allow the doctor to conduct the necessary examination of the patient’s physical condition;
• technical difficulties - not all users, especially older people and people with disabilities, have gadgets or equipment with the appropriate functions. In addition, poor connection quality, temporary interference with sound or image can become a serious problem during a consultation;
• impersonal contact with a doctor - for many patients, the lack of personal contact is a serious problem that prevents them from establishing a trusting relationship with a doctor. In such cases, the risk of making an incorrect diagnosis or prescribing the wrong course of treatment greatly increases;
• limited actions - if the online consultation reveals the need for urgent intervention, the doctor will not be able to promptly carry out medical procedures, give an injection or put on an IV.

How can a patient properly organize an online consultation?

If you need to get online help from a doctor, you should make it as efficient as possible. For this, experts recommend:

1. Check your gadgets and equipment in advance. According to statistics, about thirty percent of first consultations end unsatisfactorily due to minor technical problems. Patients need to first check how the microphone and speaker works, whether the smartphone or tablet is charged, whether the program for online communication opens and how correct it is;
2. find out in advance what tests or extracts the doctor will need during the consultation;
3. all necessary papers, examination results, certificates, extracts and analyzes should be sorted by date - this will significantly save time on finding the required paper;
4. before the consultation, it is recommended to make a written list of questions for the doctor and discuss with him all the parameters of treatment or further examination that interest you;
5. if during the consultation it turns out that another session is required, it is better to determine its date and discuss it with the doctor immediately;
6. Find out the duration of the consultation in advance and strictly adhere to the conversation schedule - the patient should have time to discuss all the really important things with the doctor, and leave minor issues for last.

From the point of view of the maximum level of efficiency, an offline visit to a doctor is the best solution to problems for any patient. The doctor must be able to personally examine the patient, palpate, measure blood pressure, pulse, listen to him and look into his eyes. However, modern life dictates its own rules and we have to follow its rhythm - every year the number of requests from patients for online consultations will only increase grow.