To accommodate these situations, some Doctors have begun offering their services via the World Wide Web. The Wall Street Journal reports that this year, some 39% of physicians have communicated with their patients online versus 16% last year.
Naturally, the most common services offered online are the administrative ones: bill paying, sending lab results, and appointment scheduling. Some patients, however, are using the Internet as a convenient treatment method.
Most doctors who offer these services say that they are most effective for only the mild and simple conditions; and when patients are too busy or too far away to come into the office. Common ailments include sinus problems, cold and flu symptoms, urinary infections, and coughs.
These doctors will not treat more serious conditions, like chest pain or other symptoms that could indicate an emergency.
Here are the basic tips that the Wall Street Journal recommends when it comes to Digital Doctors:
- Stick to non-urgent symptoms that likely signal a mild condition, particularly one your doctor has treated for you before, like mild sinus problems, a urinary-tract infection, or flu.
- If you feel something that may indicate a more urgent problem, like chest pains, don't go online. Seek immediate in-person care.
- Consider using digital communication to update your primary doctor about your chronic conditions and any specialist care or other factors that affect your health.
- If the service isn't a live online visit, make sure you know your doctor's policies on response time.
- Check if your health plan covers online visits, and what qualifies. if you have no coverage or a high deductible, ask whether your doctor charges, and how the fee compares to an office visit.
For more information, see the article in full at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203872404574257900513900382.html
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