Will The Online Doctor Visit Ever Become Common?

from the slowly,-but-surely dept

Every few months yet another news source writes a story wondering why doctors don't make better use of the internet. Everyone admits that there are some issues that could be better handled via online consultations, but very few doctors do so. The answer, though, is always the same. Many doctor's don't do it for insurance reasons. Many insurance companies won't reimburse online consultations (though, that may change starting next year). More importantly, many doctor's are worried about potential malpractice suits if something comes up that they would have been able to diagnose in person, but missed via an online consultation. I would think it makes sense, but only under certain conditions - such as for follow-up check-ups concerning specific treatments (to ask whether or not the treatment is working). However, it's probably not the greatest method for diagnosing a new problem. Eventually, these sorts of consultations will become more common, but the medical establishment isn't exactly known for rushing in with new technologies.
Hide this

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team


Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread


  • identicon
    dorpus, 30 Dec 2003 @ 2:58am

    Leave it to foreigners

    In countries where there is socialized medicine or a lack of lawsuits, this will be easier to implement.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      PhuzzyLogic, 30 Dec 2003 @ 6:56am

      Re: Leave it to foreigners

      Yes, unlike our "You looked at me with contempt, I will sue you" society.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    enoch, 10 Jan 2004 @ 10:33pm

    It's happening now, and will become more common

    I'm a physician who uses an EMR to do this... i've replied to your post in my own blog.

    link to this | view in chronology ]


Follow Techdirt
Essential Reading
Techdirt Deals
Report this ad  |  Hide Techdirt ads
Techdirt Insider Discord

The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...

Loading...
Recent Stories

This site, like most other sites on the web, uses cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy. Got it
Close

Email This

This feature is only available to registered users. Register or sign in to use it.