Are Online Check-Ups as Good as In-Person Visits? Here's What the Experts Say

 With the recent pandemic, face to face interactions were limited to avoid the spread of diseases. This did not exempt medical consultations, which in fact, has all the more reason to be avoided by both doctors and patients. Because of the situation, online check-ups have increasingly become more popular and has become an option for some to get checked as they offer a convenient and safe way to receive medical care while minimizing exposure to contagious diseases.

With that, it is given with no doubt that online check-ups are continuing to have its advancement — transforming the way we traditionally receive medical care. However, while this stands true, some patients nevertheless may still prefer that doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals be able to examine and consult with them in person.

There may be countless reasons as to why this preference may still prevail but it can be safely said that online check-ups, in our current environment, still remain to be a relatively new approach. However, this doesn’t mean that they can’t be as good as in-person visits.

Online check-ups for the most part, offer convenience. In addition to this, they are time-saving since you don’t have to go through the hassle of leaving your home just to get a medical consultation. But what’s even better is that online check-ups are cost-effective. Online check-ups may be less expensive than in-person visits, particularly if the patient doesn't have health insurance or if their insurance plan has high deductibles. Now, let’s delve deeper about what medical experts think about online check-ups and if they are really the future in medical consultations.

What Experts Say About Online Check-Ups

Are online check-ups really that effective? Does it compare to the traditional in-person visit that we’re accustomed to? Below, we take a look at the pros and cons of having medical consultations online and what experts have to say about them.

Pros of online check-ups

●Convenience. First and foremost, online check-ups allow patients to receive medical care from the comfort of their own home, without the need to travel to a doctor's office or hospital. On top of that, you won’t have to pay for travel expenses just to see a doctor.

●Access to Care. Not all people have the luxury of having access to medical care. Seeing the doctor alone comes with the need to travel, which also comes with travel expenses and not to mention, time. For some, it can be a hassle.. As such, online check-ups can be particularly beneficial for patients who live in rural or remote areas, as well as those who have mobility or transportation issues.

●Reduced Exposure. We have been living life with Covid-19 since 2020 and saw how exposure to harmful diseases can be a life-threatening phenomenon. Although the world is much safer now thanks to vaccines and improved health care, online check-ups continue to help reduce exposure and overall prevent the spread of contagious diseases since patients and healthcare providers are not exposed to each other physically.

Cons of online check-ups

●Limited Physical Examination. Since online check-ups take place virtually, they may not allow for a comprehensive physical examination. Which in turn, may limit the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment.

●Technical Difficulties. Technical issues, such as poor internet connection or malfunctioning equipment, may interfere with the quality of the consultation. Elderly and patients with disabilities may particularly find it hard to seek medical advice online.

●Misdiagnosis or Missed Diagnosis. In some cases, an online check-up may result in misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis, particularly if the healthcare provider is not able to conduct a comprehensive physical examination.

●Limitations of Treatment. Online check-ups may not be suitable for all medical conditions, especially ones that are complicated, and may have limitations in terms of the type of treatments that can be prescribed or administered remotely.

 

With the continuous adaptation of online medical consultations post-pandemic, several studies have provided insights on the health sector’s shift online. For one, a recent study in 2020 says that for a successful online consultation to work out, prior scientific knowledge and experience of the healthcare professional is required. The study mentions that psychotherapists’ opinions regarding online consultation are influenced by their past online consultation experiences, such as therapeutic modality, clinical experience, and special online consultation experience. While the study focuses on mental health care and online consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic, its findings prove to be relevant, and to an extent, can be related to general health care.

The study further discusses the advantages and difficulties of online consultations which are mentioned above. It reveals that through online consultations/check-ups, people remain safe and comfortable in their homes, which reduces stress in the waiting area and saves money and time. Accessibility/geographic flexibility, convenience flexibility, and low-priced cost were all advantages of a successful online consultation too.

On the other hand, according to its findings, both clients and therapists also faced numerous technological and communicative problems. Moreover, several experts reported feeling weary, disconnected, and insecure during the online session. Most of these problems were caused by a lack of training and knowledge. Additionally, clients could not experience the sense of close contact and recognize and manage their difficulties, which puts serious obstacles into their treatment.

 

In summary, online check-ups provide advantages over in-person visits and vice versa. It follows that they offer options that may be preferable than the other. For instance, seeking medical advice and providing treatment on a small rash on your skin can both be done online or face-to-face. More often, seeking medical help online can be the more preferable choice. But if having a medical problem checked in-person is a more convenient option for you, then you may opt to do that. However, for some complicated circumstances, in-person visits are the most ideal. No matter what the situation is, you must assess whether what option is right for you. For your online check-up needs, E-Konsulta offers a great online check-up experience. In just three easy steps, you can get an appointment booked for you right away! Head over at E-Konsulta now!