I’d be willing to bet most of you have heard of, or previously used, telemedicine in some shape, form or fashion. Stated simply, telemedicine is the process of seeking care from a medical provider using your phone or laptop. This field is exploding, and I have no doubt popularity will continue to grow as large health systems and pharmacy giants dive in.
It’s easy to appreciate the convenience and efficiency of telemedicine services, but there are potential risks for patients that haven’t been commonly discussed. This post isn’t to deter you from using telemedicine, but instead to educate you on this new technology so you can make an informed decision. Let’s take a closer look.
Perhaps the most common form of telemedicine is when a large medical practice creates online “virtual” appointments. This involves using a webcam to remotely discuss a concern with a medical provider that is associated with the medical group where you’ve already established care. This is by far, in my opinion, the safest form of telemedicine. Why do I feel this way? The medical provider chatting with you will have access to your medical records and can recommend you come in for a real-life visit if your concerns are not easily evaluated in a virtual environment.
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