Q: I see a lot of ads about health care. Is this a good idea, or should I commit to my regular doctor?
Many of my friends recently asked me: Is health care about veterinary?
I am a first care doctor a lot Questions about ads they see for online doctors who provide everything from mental health care to Viagra.
My friends say the services seem very easy to use, but they are not sure they are safe.
Nobody can deny the ease of health care. You can schedule appointments within hours – sometimes minutes – realize that you need to care and see a doctor from your sofa, in pajamas.
Do you have a medical question that you want to answer an honest answer? Write us on Thrive@npr.org, and we will look at your pillar question.
But there can also be some dangerous defects. For anyone, you may be exposed to unexpected costs. For medical conditions that are not clear, there can be real benefits of building a relationship with the IRL.
Here are some things that must be taken into account if you are considering a health care experience:
1. Healthcare methods from a different dimension that works better, depending on your healthy anxiety
If you are confused about a large group of online health care companies that have appeared in recent years, welcome to the club. I cannot keep up with!
The field has been developing quickly in the United States since then Medicare started pushing doctors to virtual visits during the Covid-19sAnd many other health insurance companies followed their example.
Health care can be delivered from a distance via video or phone chat or by filling over an online model. In the latter case, the doctor reviews the model and provides a treatment plan without talking to you at all.
Erectile dysfunction and hair loss medications – some of the first and most dormant treatments available by health care – are very safe to reach this method. Answer some questions through a form, write your credit card information, and the drugs in the mail. Companies that provide these treatments often deal with only one condition at one time and track simple algorithms to make a diagnosis and a treatment plan.
If you have a mysterious rash, on the other hand, you may try visiting a video so that your doctor can get eyes on it. Video visits are also useful for evaluating sick children, skin infections and nails.
Log in to the correct application to visit the video can be difficult for people who have difficulty in moving in technology, which is why the oldest phone call dates for my patients. The audio call is often the easiest way to discuss test results or verify how the new drug works.
Health care can be especially useful for people in rural areas without being close to doctors.
2.
Health care does not simply work for conditions that require a physical examination (such as women’s examinations or joint pain) or for procedures such as vaccines, steroid injections or biopsies.
And if your condition is complicated or you do not have a clear diagnosis – for example, you suffer from abdominal pain but you do not know the reason – it is often worth it to meet a personal provider. Realistic life visits tend to be more comprehensive, and doctors can learn a lot about your condition by observation and physical examination.
If you are not sure if the care date is appropriate, ask your doctor.
3. You can get specialized care for some sensitive problems, but you may ignore something important
Many healthcare companies are enhanced by the specialized care dimension, such as hormonal treatment for menopause or mental health care. Not every preliminary care doctor in experience in treating each one case – although we are trying! – Healthcare cabinets can remotely access an expert if the regular doctor is not comfortable to treat the problem.
But remember that if you register for menopause online, you will get only Menopause care. Expect the follow -up of the initial care document for any other problems. You should also think about where you will turn if things get worse. If you have a complexity or follow -up questions, is it easy to get an appointment with a health care company, or are you expected to return to the primary care doctor?
4. It may save you money – or not
There are some research that indicates this Health care may be cheaper, in general, from personal care. This logical: The fast virtual visit may prevent the expensive and time -consuming emergency room, which can reduce unnecessary tests. You can also save travel costs.
But again, it depends on whether you see a doctor you already know. Online appointments with a provider must start from Square One You may end up to your cost moreIn the costs of the emergency department if you are sent for more tests and fees associated with the platform.
Do not take many health care platforms at all and receive your credit card directly. When you are in doubt, read the beautiful print.
5. Online or outside, it’s your relationship with your doctor concerns
The promise of health care about the rest of the comfort can bring in reverse results. there Some of the research it refers to This virtual visit with a doctor you did not meet before probably You will end up in the emergency room later. The same study showed that a virtual visit with a family doctor already knows that you made it less You are likely to go to ER.
The researchers did not know the reason, but I have a theory: when doctors do not know their patients well, they tend to be more cautious.
If you have, for example, a cough, and you met a new doctor for a video visit, the doctor may send you more personal evaluation to ensure that it is not from pneumonia. But the doctor who knows you well – and knows, for example, that you do not have asthma and do not smoke – he can say comfortably, “Drink some tea, take a holiday, and call me if it is not better.”
Of course, getting to know the primary care doctor in the long run It can be good for your health. (I am a little bias, of course, but the research is completely clear in this.)
So instead of asking, “Should I use health care from a distance? or See my regular doctor? “It might be a better question,” How can I use health care from a distance with My regular doctor? “Many primary care doctors are happy to use health care as a personal care supplement.
The bottom line: Before you set an appointment with a company that promises a lot, but too Fees Often, it is worth logging in with the primary care doctor.
There is a lot to earn him from getting to know the health care provider in your community. This provider may also be ready to see you on a date from health care as well. Frankly, they may not care if you are wearing pajamas to the virtual visit – or your IRL also.
Mara Gordon is a family doctor at the Cooper Medical College at Rawan University in Kamden, New Jersey. The alternative newsletter writes Your friend, doctor.