The world of technology has evolved to the extent that today you can do almost everything with a smartphone, right from the comfort of your home. Whether it’s buying the most awaited dress or getting a doctor’s appointment on TalkToDoc, you can do basically anything with your mobile phone.
Thanks to the internet, the medical world has become very accessible for everyone. If you are a tech-savvy person, you understand how beneficial the internet can be. You can see how easier it would be to get an expert opinion from a qualified medical professional rather than going to a hospital in such a challenging pandemic situation.
Here are nine such benefits of online doctors’ consultation that will amaze you.
1. No need to travel
When you are sick, a trip to the hospital can be challenging, especially if you don’t have anyone to take you to the hospital. It wouldn’t be advisable to drive when you are not in the right physical or mental condition to reach the hospital. With online consultation, you don’t have to risk your life, or negotiate an hour of traffic just to get to the hospital. You can schedule an online appointment with a medical professional who will guide you in further process.
All you have to do is describe your symptoms as accurately as possible. The medical professional will discuss the details with you and advise you of the further treatment plan.
2. Medical Records at your fingertips
If you have ever gone to a hospital, you know you need to keep your medical records like test results, reports, and other important documents within your reach. You should present them whenever your doctor or physician asks for them. However, with online medical consultation, you get all your essential documents in one place where you can easily access them. Whether it’s your appointment details or medical reports, all are accessible right at your fingertips.
You can log in to your account and access any essential information about your medical treatment. This information will be necessary for your further medical treatment. You can easily view, read and share the documents right from your smartphone.
3. Global expertise
Online medical consultation frees you from the geographical limitations of medical treatments. Suppose you need to consult a neurologist, but they reside in another country, and it makes it difficult to get a consultation from them due to geographical limitations. Traveling to another country when you are sick can be challenging, not to mention expensive. Thankfully, online consultation removes the need for that. You can consult numerous medical specialists from all across the world from the comfort of your home.
You also book a consultation with highly qualified medical professionals in their respective fields. Imagine the money, time, and energy you will save with online medical consultation.
4. Similar to checking symptoms online
Many people use the internet to find out which medical condition they have based on their symptoms. Many get worried as the online search results can be confusing and scary.
However, when you use an app such as TalkToDoc to consult a doctor online, you can rest assured that you are getting the proper professional guidance. This way, you won’t have to spend hours researching your symptoms on WebMD only to wrongly conclude that you have a terminal illness.
5. Highly convenient for people in rural regions
Hospitals in metropolitan cities are easier to access and are always available for medical consultation. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for hospitals in rural areas. Many rural areas do not have sufficient medical facilities available in their town. So, people in villages often have to travel long distances to get high-quality medical advice, which costs a lot of money and time.
Thanks to online medical consultation, this can be avoided to a great extent. Anyone can get an online consultation with an expert medical professional. All they need is a smartphone and a working internet connection.
6. Cost-saving and transparent
You’d be surprised to know how cost-efficient it is to get an online consultation. The average cost of medical consultation in a private medical facility can range from $80 to $120, which is very expensive. Thankfully that isn’t the case with online consultations. They have comparatively lower fees for each session, and it often depends on each patient’s specific medical condition. It’s very convenient because now you won’t spend a lot of money on consultation even when you are unsure about your medical condition.
Hospital bills can break your bank, mainly because they levy different hidden charges in your medical bill. Conversely, online consultation platforms like TalktoDoc have predefined standard rates, which means you know exactly how much you will be spending for the consultation, and there are no hidden charges in your fees.
7. It’s very convenient
It’s highly convenient to consult a medical professional online. You can avail different ways of communication such as call, video chat, or text chat to communicate with a doctor. You can use any of these mediums according to your preference and consult a virtual doctor.
On top of that, online medical consultations are available 24×7. You don’t need to wait for the next day with the physical clinic. You can drop a text to your assigned medical professional and get the advice you need whenever you can. It is very convenient for people who need medical assistance at odd hours.
8. Security and privacy
Privacy can be a big concern for medical consultations. Many people are not comfortable sharing their symptoms, and they have every right to protect their privacy. When it comes to online medical consultation, you don’t have to worry about anyone knowing about your medical conditions or having illegitimate access to your medical records.
Online medical consultation platforms are highly secure and are designed to keep your identity and medical records safe and private. No one except you can access your medical records or know about your medical conditions.
9. Easier prescriptions
Getting medical prescriptions for emergency medical conditions can be difficult. However, you often need a prescription to buy certain medications, such as painkillers. Thankfully, with online medical consultation, you can also get an online prescription from your medical professional and use it to purchase the appropriate medications.
A virtual doctor allows you to have medical assistance irrespective of the time and location. You can speak to a virtual doctor online through your smartphone and get expert advice from the comfort of your home.