In today’s technology-driven world, having the chance to get your chore done from the comfort of your home has revolutionized many traditional ways of the world. With everyday lives becoming increasingly hectic and to-do lists becoming more prolonged, it is often hard to take out hours from an already busy schedule to dedicate them to a single chore. Since the advent of a global pandemic, visual telehealth appointments with online doctors have become a new norm. In times of dire need of doctors and the risks of acquiring a fatal disease to some, quick solutions had to be planned to carry out life as usually as possible. One of the fields that has understandably been more affected and revolutionized is the medical field.

Before Covid 19, the idea of online consultations with doctors was not a reliable source for making diagnoses, and no one was willing to try it in huge numbers. However, as times changed and in-person consultations posed more harm than good, online consultations became the new way to see doctors. It pushed for further improvements in video quality and ways to improve communication and diagnosis.

Today, online consultations with doctors all over the globe can be achieved in almost a fraction of the total time and cost required to have one face-to-face. Factors such as reduced costs, more exposure to a variety of specialists, and lesser waiting time are why online doctor consultations garner so much attention.

What Are the Advantages?

There are many conditions where a face-to-face consultation is necessary to reach an accurate diagnosis, such as a fractured bone or specific conditions requiring a physical examination. These are scenarios where online consultations can impede the process of coming to an appropriate diagnosis. Apart from such conditions, online doctor consultation has many benefits in today’s world. Some of them are;

The Comfort of Booking an Telehealth Appointment Anywhere

An online doctor appointment allows patients to book any time of day. It is convenient compared to traditional means of booking telehealth appointments because they can virtually be booked at any time. Patients can easily book their meetings in the morning or at night, or even on weekends when traditional clinics would be closed. It can also ease some of the load on the reception staff as simply logging into a computer would show all the booked telehealth appointments.

It Helps to Make Patients Feel More at Ease.

It is a universal phenomenon that going to the doctor’s clinic can raise your anxiety and stress significantly. One of the top benefits of online consultations is that patients can have an appointment anywhere they feel most comfortable. It is a game changer for patients suffering from social anxiety or who are on the autism spectrum since they don’t have to face the doctor. It can reduce stress and anxiety and can promote better communication and understanding. Patients can also feel more comfortable sharing information without the fear of judgment. It gives a patient the feeling of hiding behind a screen where uncomfortable topics can be typed. It comforts the patients and gives doctors more information to accurately base a treatment plan on. This also increases the doctor’s exposure and clientele as more patients are bound to recommend such easygoing doctor appointments to their families and peers.

Online Telehealth Appointments Are More Accessible for The Disabled or Handicapped.

Often handicapped people have to cover large distances to have a routine clinic appointment with their healthcare provider. This can get tiring and expensive for people who might not readily have access to public transport. Online consultations can make these scheduled telehealth appointments much easier and more economical for disabled people. Many software and programs help the visually impaired access electrical devices, which can also be used to book doctors. These factors promote lesser stress for the patient and promote a better experience.

Reduces The Frequency of Patient No Shows

Since online consultations are more convenient and accessible for patients, patients are less likely not to attend such consultations. These issues frequently arise in clinics since patients often run into minor inconveniences that waste resources and time for either party. Online consultations are estimated to reduce patient no-shows by up to 90 percent. For the doctor’s clinic, this saves time because the time spent on phone calls to the missing patient can be used to treat another individual. Many online booking sites also send out reminders to patients, so the chances of missing an appointment are pretty less. Over time, reducing the number of patient no-shows can help the doctors be more efficient, have a better patient experience, and reduce administration costs.

Access To Safe Prescription Services

Many virtual doctors can safely and accurately diagnose conditions like asthma, mental health issues, etc. These conditions are then prescribed the appropriate medicine and medical kits on the online portal. Some doctor clinics also provide prescription delivery services, reducing the inconvenience of going to the pharmacy altogether.

Easy To Manage

It is well known that a doctor’s life is very hectic and fast pace. With most of their days spent behind a table in a clinic, it is not far-fetched to assume that their mental health would be affected at the end of the day. With online consultations, doctors can attend appointments from the comfort of their homes, where they would be more at ease and comfortable. Breaks can be taken between appointments, unlike in clinical settings. These factors help the doctor not feel exhausted and work with a more stressed-out mind. Online consultation websites send notifications to doctors about upcoming telehealth appointments. With these factors being controlled by computers, a doctor is more likely to manage his busy schedule easily.

Online Telehealth Appointments Are User-Friendly.

Unlike going to a traditional doctor’s clinic, which can require many documents and overwhelm a patient, online appointments are very quickly booked, even if you are not tech-savvy. Many online platforms have a simple log-in and book and are also equipped with quick chat systems to help you in case of a problem. Doctors that cater to patients online can attach these links to their social media or websites to be easily found.

More Economical

Online appointments are booked from the comfort of our homes without moving an inch. It saves significant time, money, and fuel and, in the long run, is not only more economical but also environmentally friendly. Going virtual with appointments means that no paper will be wasted by prescriptions, notes, appointment letters, etc., and can be provided in a soft copy to the patient. All these overtimes reduce wastage and pollution and can help ultimately reduce our carbon footprint.

 Excellent Marketing Strategy

Online telehealth appointments are still new to the industry and are still not the primary way people book doctor consultations. Suppose you’re in an area where online GP consultations are still new to the market; adopting such a service can be an excellent marketing strategy for your business. By describing in detail, the benefits of online consultations, people will be more attracted to your clinics due to the sheer ease and convenience. Research has shown that 68 percent of patients prefer clinics that offer the comfort of booking, cancelling, and delaying telehealth appointments online, which gives you an edge in challenging competition areas.

Almost All Businesses Are Going Online.

Ecommerce in recent years has been booming along with social media, remote jobs, and even communication with friends has been reduced to services provided on the internet. It is evident that the future is virtual.

Everything Is Going Online.

Finally, let’s be frank: everything is going virtual in this day and age. We now work remotely, talk to each other via video chat, and use online shopping for everyday purchases. Online consultations will probably be the future of healthcare. Longer waiting lines in crowded rooms, limited time during the day to visit, and the general inconvenience of traditional doctor appointments will soon change the future of healthcare. Doctors are also keen on promoting telehealth appointments because of the exhausting working hours. Instead of driving to different locations for consultations, doctors can have an appointment with a patient from any part of the world. All these factors will soon promote a more virtual-based healthcare system in most places.

Virtual Healthcare Can Increase Your Exposure.

With virtually places consultations, many patients that cannot travel long distances can meet with a wide variety of doctors and aren’t bound by the restrictions of travelling. It allows people worldwide to have a virtual appointment with any specialist of their choice. They aren’t limited to the doctors in their vicinity. Many doctors and hospitals slowly realize this can impact their businesses. Doctors can vastly expand their clientele by switching to online consultations and catering to patients worldwide. It holds to be especially useful in post-surgical follow-ups, covid 19 patients, behavioral consultations, and urgent care patients.

Virtual Care Is More Affordable.

Virtual care is significantly more affordable than traditional healthcare and in-office visits. On average, it costs about 45-60 dollars per appointment just in the time lost from the day of patients. It has the added cost of time spent waiting and commuting to the clinic. Although expensive, these telehealth appointments can still be manageable for an average patient who might visit once or twice a year. However, for chronic patients, these visits can, over time, add up and cost a fortune. To combat such soaring prices of traditional healthcare, many clinics and hospitals are taking online healthcare consultations more seriously and shifting gears. Many virtual medical platforms have patient enrollment and appointment scheduling features that help make virtual consultations more accessible and streamlined. This system also helps in conveniently sending out hospital bills without the added expenses of mailing paper bills. Virtual care is especially essential in chronic patients or patients that have work done in a different state with practically no time commitment and can help doctors keep a closer eye on the progress.

More Time to Engage with Patients

Since online consultations take up a fraction of the time a traditional appointment would, it gives doctors more time to check in on patients and engage with them more. It reinforces adherence to the treatment program and gives patients more time for any questions. It is impractical for patients to commute to clinics and hospitals for minor queries, so online consultations can be a more accessible and cheaper option to answer some of the concerns patients have after starting a treatment plan. It promotes an overall positive experience for the patient. It also causes an increased influx of customers to a clinic or a hospital.

Medical Attention in Acute Cases

Online consultations are the most convenient approach to provide prompt medical assistance in acute cases or diseases. Although these are not suitable for emergency cases, in non-threatening conditions, they can be the safest option for patients.

Getting A Second Opinion on Your Progress

In case patients already are under a treatment regime from their healthcare provider but want to get a second opinion from other specialists, online consultations are the way to go about it. Often, patients want a second opinion from a specialist regarding their condition, which can be provided through a concise online consultation.

More Access to Specialists

Since online consultations are not bound by the restraints of travelling and the costs associated, it gives patients more access to experienced specialists around the globe. They do not need to travel long distances and not only spend a fortune but also risk getting superadded infections.

No Need to Keep Records

Patients do not need to keep many records from years ago and carry them to each visit. Virtual telehealth appointments automatically save medical histories on computers that can easily be accessed with each visit by the doctor.

Safer and Responsible

Online consultations reduce the chances of superadded infections and catching diseases from other sick individuals in hospitals and clinics. This quality is especially essential in times of covid 19, where dangerous global pandemics have affected life in more ways than imaginable. Staying home and preventing disease propagation is the responsibility of every individual.

Instant Referrals and Medications

If the patient’s condition requires immediate medical attention, doctors can provide immediate referrals to doctors in traditional clinics. Patients can also receive a doctor-appointed leave if they are unfit to work.

Patients Can Receive an Early Diagnosis.

One of the main reasons many conditions go unnoticed and untreated is because patients do not find the time to book telehealth appointments in their busy schedules. Online consultations are booked at the patient’s convenience; hence, these issues can be solved quickly.

Doctor Visits During Travelling

Patients can still book an essential doctor’s appointment if they are on vacation in faraway states and can quickly get in touch with their primary healthcare provider.

Extensive Research Can Be Provided

Online doctors can provide extensive information in consultations. After diagnosis and providing you with information about the patient’s condition, doctors can then guide them to follow appropriate research pages on Google and guide patients into gathering more accurate information on how to deal with their conditions.

Confidentiality

The beauty of online consultations is that patients can fully disclose any information without fearing being judged. Confidentiality is one of the prime advantages of online healthcare consultations.

Conclusion

Understandably, someone who might be new to online healthcare consultations can be wary about them initially. Although, with just a few minutes of research, one can find reputable and experienced doctors. With new video conferencing technologies, online conferencing can be just as effective as a face-to-face consultation with a doctor giving you the same quality of service, privacy, and connection. With the right doctor and clinic in contact, you’re guaranteed to have the same benefits of an in-person consultation along with added benefits.