The Doctor Will Skype You Now 97
amkkhan writes Next time you need to go to the doctor, instead of making an appointment, why not just fire up your smartphone? New programs by companies such as Doctor on Demand and the University of Pittsburgh's AnywhereCare offer one-on-one conferencing with doctors, either over the phone or through video on your phone or computer – giving you all the medical advice you need without having to set foot in a doctor's office. This new breed of checkup, known as telemedicine, has the opportunity to revolutionize personal health, says Pat Basu, chief medical officer of Doctor on Demand and a former Stanford University physician. "Two of the most important skills we use as physicians are looking and listening," he says. "Video conferencing lets me use those skills and diagnose things like colds, coughs and even sprains in a manner more convenient for you."
HIPAA Compliant? (Score:5, Insightful)
Mr. Snowden begs to differ. Yet another benefit the NSA/Microsoft conjoined twins have fucked up.
Another excuse to reduce care levels, and costs (Score:4, Insightful)
While continuing to raise premiums.
I have never, ever, ever been to a doctor's appointment, and not had my blood pressure, pulse and temperature taken, even for the most routine visit. Nor should I, ever, in the future. Yes, I could, in theory, do those things myself and tell him, but none of the home kits can hold a candle to the gear they use, even if used correctly by the patient.
If I go in for something specific, physical contact becomes more specific. How can a doctor palpitate my chest, or listen to my lungs, over Skype? Some doctors will favor this because it will let them spend even less time with each patient, and insurance companies will push it because it will cost them less, but I won't put up with it. And neither, I think, will my doctor, who is very good.
All well and good (Score:3, Insightful)
But it was a random blood sugar test that diagnosed me T1 diabetes and a random blood pressure check that diagnosed me high blood pressure (and saved my life, if the 240/160 reading was anything to go by).
So no, I would have to say phoning it in would be as terrible an idea as... phoning it in.