Web Cams, Doctors, The Virtual Doctor Visit.

Facebook and Twitter are well known social media sites, but more and more healthcare professionals are using the once, mostly social site as an opportunity to connect with patients and provide information. The popularity of these types of sites has lead a number of insurance companies, regulatory agencies, and professional societies to consider the use of texting, smartphone, and Web-based video communication technologies in the medical field.

The terms Telemedicine or Virtual Visits are now being used to describe services being provided by clinicians that are providing consultation, diagnoses, and treatment plans using wireless or Web-based technology. Electronic visits via mobile devices – smartphones, tablets, video conferencing- can facilitate care providing patients more convenient access to clinicians. The need to take off work or find a baby sitter to go to the doctors office to discuss test results, medication follow up, etc, may be eliminated by a Virtual Visit.

Through email, texting, and patient portals, clinicians can guide patients in a more timely and effective manner than waiting for a physical visit. Tests can be ordered and treatment may be started so that if a physical visit is warranted, it can be a better-informed visit.

Insurance coverage for Telemedicine is still limited but interest is growing. “The undeniable need to control healthcare cost, provide more convenient access for patients, and advances in wireless broadband networks, smartphones, and data compression will continue to drive demand.” JKM

Dr. Mathews, Plano OBGYN Associates, Plano Urogynecology Associates, currently offers Virtual Visits for established patients and you can follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

Tags: doctors, facebook, field, frisco, healthcare, insurance, medical, obgyn, plano texas, Telemedicine, twitter, urogynecology, video conferencing, virtual doctor, Virtual Visit, virtual visits, Web Cams | Category: News & Education, Our Blog |