2/17/2021
Pros and Cons of Virtual Doctor Visits - Dr Lachlan Soper
Pros and Cons of Virtual Doctor Visits Even before the pandemic struck, virtual doctor visits were becoming more and more popular. Now with so many people con ned to their homes and the doctor’s of ce not being as safe as it used to be, virtual visits and telehealth communication have become a necessity. However, virtual visits have their advantages and disadvantages. When it comes down to it, is it worth it in the end? Pro: Cost-effective Care Oftentimes, a virtual visit with your doctor is going to be less expensive than a traditional visit to their of ce. A patient can actually save money by removing the time spent sitting in the waiting room and commuting to the clinic. Virtual care appointments also decrease no-show and late appointment rates. Pro: Convenient and Accessible Many patients found virtual visits to be easier and much more convenient. Instead of taking time out of their day to drive down to the clinic and wait for the doctor, they can access care right from the comfort of their home or wherever they have an internet connection. Telehealth is also a great option for those living in rural areas and remote locations. They can gain access to doctors more easily while also having quicker and more convenient access to specialists. Pro: Better Patient Engagement Patients are more likely to set and keep their appointments when made through telehealth solutions. Virtual visits also encourage patients to be more involved by making it easier to reach out with questions, voice concerns, share early warning signs, and schedule a follow-up appointment. With the patientcentered approaches that telehealth offers, there’s a major improvement to patient care. Con: More Training and Tech Equipment Moving care to a virtual platform requires more training in tech and requires equipment. This restructures the IT staff’s responsibilities, which costs both time and money. To ensure patients are getting the best care possible with virtual visits, training for doctors, nurses, and other medical staff is crucial. Con: Less In-Person Consultations Technology has its limitations and cannot completely replace in-person consultations. However, the appeal and convenience of virtual visits will make in-person visits seem like even more of a hassle, even when it is necessary. Not all procedures, especially a checkup, can be performed digitally.
https://lachlansoper.com.au/pros-and-cons-of-virtual-doctor-visits/
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2/17/2021
Pros and Cons of Virtual Doctor Visits - Dr Lachlan Soper
At the end of the day, as good as tele-health is, nothing can replace an experienced doctors’ gut feel when a patient walks in their door, and there is no substitute for a thorough clinical examination. Telehealth is a worthwhile supplement to good patient care, but should never replace it, as things will get missed.
DISCLAIMER All content provided on the www.lachlansoper.com.au website is general in nature and for informational purposes only. It does not take into consideration an individual’s circumstances and it is not advice and should not be used as a substitute for advice from an appropriately quali ed professional. Opinions are my own. Links to external websites do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. No responsibility is accepted for any liability, loss or risk which is incurred as a consequence of the use of any of the material or links on this website, nor for any errors or omissions in the information. All content on this website © Lachlan Soper (unless otherwise speci ed). This entry was posted in Interesting Reading on February 18, 2021 [https://lachlansoper.com.au/pros-and-cons-
of-virtual-doctor-visits/] by Renee Montalvan.
https://lachlansoper.com.au/pros-and-cons-of-virtual-doctor-visits/
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