Before, the concept of having an online medical clinic is something we can imagine in the future but not something that we can imagine happening now. Today, the threat of the coronavirus made way for a new normal when it comes to consultations – the possibility of having online doctors treat urgent medical issues and mental or behavioral disorders and release prescriptions faster.
In Canada, some virtual clinics had already been established years ago. But it was not until the onset of this current global pandemic that hospitals and clinics have made the apparent and necessary shift to provide a form of virtual health care. As these online clinics take off, people take advantage of the easy access and fast service, but some experts worry about the impact of removing face to face contact between the doctor and patient.
Virtual healthcare in a nutshell
Virtual Healthcare is the system of providing healthcare services from clinicians to patients through remote interaction using digital programs and communication platforms. A virtual visit may mean a patient using a phone application to search and talk to a doctor online or making a video call to consult a clinician.
Advantages of online medical consultation
The presence of mobile applications connecting doctors and patients with minor illnesses increased in the last year, and more people are turning to these “pocket doctor” platforms as the coronavirus pandemic continues. What are the benefits of consulting online doctors as a new normal in Canadian health care?
1. Avoid traveling. As social protocols are put into place, staying at home becomes an essential preventive measure to avoid contracting Covid19. Of course, more common illnesses do not just magically disappear. If you are suffering from a skin allergy, taking advantage of a virtual “visit” to an online clinic will eliminate the need to go out. You can talk to your doctor and receive prescriptions in the comfort of your home. Other applications also allow you to reach pharmacies so that you can order the prescribed medicine and have it delivered in your address. You will have no risk of getting infected because everything is a contactless transaction.
2. Eliminate Waiting. No one enjoys spending minutes or hours lining up outside a doctor’s door. Online clinics remove this problem since you can instantly connect with a doctor once you send an inquiry on the website or cellphone application. Some sites let you create an online profile with your preferred online clinic and immediately connect with a doctor to talk about what you need. Others allow you to fill up your information and connect you with the available physician. The best thing about this is that doctors are available 24/7. So if you are suffering symptoms in the middle of the night, you can easily find a licensed medical practitioner at the tip of your fingers.
3. Get your prescription – fast. Do you need to refill your prescription? Reaching out to an online clinic website will connect you to a physician that you can talk to and can refer you to a pharmacy that will prepare and deliver your prescribed medicines.
4. Save Money. If you have insurance, you will pay nothing out of your wallet. But if you are not covered by one, it will cost you less money to get an online doctor than to visit an actual one.
Limitations of online medical consultation
The necessity to seek healthcare and restriction to human movement as a pandemic protocol gave rise to online clinics. There are a lot of benefits to choosing a virtual clinic for diagnosis or prescription, but it is not without limitations.
1. Not for medical emergencies. There are situations when you need physical contact with a medical responder, and a medical emergency is one of them. If you or your family member is experiencing a life or death situation, call 911 immediately or rush to the nearest hospital.
2. No controlled drugs. Online doctors can usually prescribe most medications but not controlled substances and precursors. So if you need medicine listed under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, such as methamphetamine, morphine, fentanyl, cocaine, or narcotics, you have to seek a doctor who can personally dispense prescription for such.
3. Lack of continuity of care. This is one of the significant issues thrown by health experts who advocate for the traditional way of patient care. If you visit your family physician, chances are, they are going to be more familiar with the past medical history of you and your family than with a doctor you just met online. Most virtual healthcare providers are trying to improve their quality of care by maintaining patient records and adapting referral systems to avoid letting you feel neglected after the consultation.
Virtual healthcare has its pros and cons, but one thing is for sure. During the pandemic, online doctor Canada clinics have offered a safe and quality alternative for people seeking medical help. The current coronavirus pandemic still puts the world in a state of uncertainty, and until humanity comes up with a vaccine for it, online healthcare is here to stay. Consider making that online consultation today.