Virtual Health Care: Online Doctors’ Office Visits Coming Soon
Changes in the economy have an impact many issues, including health care. Due to the rising cost of fuel and the advances in technology, one affordable alternative for consumers is online physician services. As the demand for affordable health care in the United States increases, so will the acceptance of virtual care from doctors.
The Foundation is in Place
Many of the necessary pieces of the virtual health care puzzle are already in place. Wider implementation is all that is lacking in order to serve the general populous. Virtual care from doctors saves money for the doctors and the patients. The potential for an increase in the quality of care is present due to physicians having less of their time wasted. Most doctor’s office visits are for things that could easily be treated with an online consultation.
Most people have access to the internet, and many new computer systems come with built-in web cameras. These things make the possibility of virtual care from a doctor more feasible than it has ever been before.
Doctor, You Have Mail
An article titled Technology Helps Solve Health Care Crisis reveals an innovative plan incorporated by a Brooklyn, New York doctor designed to offer affordable and convenient health care to his patients. Dr. Jay Parkinson combines two home visits with office-hour instant messaging (IM) and email services for one low annual price. Despite distance limitations, this is one example of how virtual medicine can serve consumers.
Doctor Robot
Doctors around the world have already completed multiple successful remote surgeries using the assistance of robots and online connections. The usage of remote and robotic technology allows doctors and surgeons to treat patients without travel time delays and expenses.
The establishment of the Imperial College of London’s Hamlyn Robotic Centre for Surgery was announced in March of 2008, and Canada has already been utilizing robotic and remote surgery to a limited degree. According to a National Geographic News article from 2001, surgeons in the United States undertook a successful remote surgery on a patient in France.
The Virtual Reality
Doctors are already utilizing medical technology innovations in the way they deal with rising health care costs and limited face-time with patients. Tools already used by physicians and patients such as electronic prescription pads, mail order drugs, and PDAs readily fit into a virtual health care system.
As the United States, Canada, England and other countries move forward in developing and using virtual medical technology, it is only a matter of time before such medical care becomes the worldwide standard. In the meanwhile, consumers will continue to search the online world for ways to save money on healthcare. The ways to get virtual care from doctors will be one answer they will find.
