Technology is changing all around us, so why not at the hospital? With Apple iPhones and iPads becoming more and more prevalent, we may not be far from checking ourselves in at the hospital, virtually eliminating the waiting room.
Later this summer, healthcare company Teladoc will release new iPhone and iPad apps that makee physician consultations possible via FaceTime video conferencing. Heath companies like Kaiser have been doing ‘over the web’ consultations for years now, but only through mail. “Well, that’s good enough, what would be better?” some ask. Well, how about video consulting by your doctor via your computer or iDevice. Within the last eight years, Teladoc Health has facilitated some 80,000 patient/doctor consultations, either via webcam or telephone.
According to Teladoc, the typical virtupointment lasts 12 minutes. Appointments are available on-demand 24/7 and can usually commence after no longer than 20 minutes in a digital waiting room. Teladoc CEO Jason Gorevic says that the forthcoming Facetime consultations will only occur with licensed physicians for the care of “routine medical issues.”
Is this the future of doctors offices and checkups? Would you utilize a digital platform for a physician’s care, especially if it meant reducing your exposure to other possibly infectious illnesses in the hospital or doctor’s office? Well, the people at mHealth are trying their best to make checkups easier and safer for you!
