The Internet is a big, open and mostly free, library for any and every questions people have. Apart from questions about relationships, the most common questions are about disease symptoms, ailments and their cures. Many rely on Google for medical information related to a particular symptom, disease or any medical condition they assume they have. So it only makes sense for the medical world to create a place for itself in the world of internet.
There are numerous Doctors' forums where people can post questions, which are answered by Doctors. Qualified Doctors utilize this popular medium to reach out to those who are in need of advice. Recognizing the opportunity here, more than a few doctors today allot a part of their time for online consultation.
Let's take a look at some benefits of consulting a doctor online.
Ease of access
One can consult with a doctor of choice (who can be found with proper research online or via recommendation) from the ease of one's own home/office/any other place of choice. All that is needed is a device with internet access.
Privacy
Some people are quite pleased with the rise in online consultation because it allows them to maintain their privacy. This is especially helpful for those who are suffering from any chronic disease or want to discuss any critical medical condition or topic. Patients who do not want to come out in the open with their illness or medical condition for the fear of rejection from society are very much inclined towards online consultation. It gives them the freedom to access various physicians and offer them medical answers and solutions.
Cost effective
As there are no overhead costs, labor charges, etc, doctors charge fairly less for an online consultation when compared to face-to-face consultation. While the cost of medicines and tests may not be different, the benefits of consulting a doctor online can be viewed as cost effective compared to the expense involved registering as a patient at the hospital/clinic, in traveling back-and-forth, etc. Top Nigerian Medical Specialists
Online Consultation v/s Self Diagnosis
There are times when we seek medical information related to a particular symptom, disease or any medical condition through Google. But it is risky to rely on any medical information that is available on various medical sites to diagnose one's condition. Self diagnosis might seem simple and easy but can lead to severe health conditions if done wrong. It is very important to determine the basic cause of your medical condition with the help of correct diagnosis. In such cases consulting with a specialist online can help clear doubts safely and effectively. Also, the internet is filled with innumerable sites providing information on various health issues, but some are not reliable at all. So having a trusted source to offer correct guidance is highly recommended.
Advantage over Tele medicine
When compared to tele medicine services, online doctor consultation definitely has an advantage because it allows patients to share a detailed description of their condition. There is no time constraint. Patients also have to option to submit their medical history and share their reports.
Be Heard
One of the major concerns among patients is that doctors often end the session in a hurry without giving them a chance to clear all their doubts. This is mainly due to lack of time at the doctors end, huge queue outside his office or other engagements that the doctor has to take care of. With online consultation you get the exclusivity to spend maximum time discussing all your issues patiently. There are no distractions or any hurry to finish the session quickly. If a consultation time of 15-30 minutes has been allotted to a patient, he gets to spend the entire time with the specialist.
View More:- Online doctor's advice for your health problems
