Tracking the Rise of Online Doctor Consultations
COVID-19 took the whole world by storm, and in no time almost all of the world’s countries imposed lockdown restrictions—no physical interactions, no meeting, and no physical exchanges. After a brief period of total lockdown, business owners started adjusting to the new normal, shifting their businesses online.
Online businesses flourished due to COVID as well. People who were previously very reluctant to shop online had no other option but to do it. One industry whose online presence significantly rose in the pandemic was the medical or healthcare industry.
Telemedicine services became more and more popular. Online doctor consultations, which both doctors and people were a little reluctant about, are now growing at a rapid rate. According to a report, the expected growth of the telemedicine industry by 2024 is a massive 78%, with the market amounting to around $850 million.
One company that emerged as a market leader in the United States is TelMDCare. We offer medical services online and have licensed doctors associated with us.
Let’s take a look at the reasons why the telemedicine industry bloomed, and what are some of the benefits it offers which make it sustainable and open to more growth even after the pandemic.
COVID-19 Pandemic
One of the biggest reasons for the rapid growth of the telemedicine market is COVID-19. The pandemic made it impossible, or at least difficult for people to physically visit doctors. A lot of people require regular check-ups, and a lot of people want regular check-ups voluntarily to keep themselves healthy. Since COVID was a hindrance in this regard, people opted to consult doctors online.
Saves Time
Undoubtedly, online consultation with doctors saves a whole lot of time. The traveling time, the waiting time all can be avoided via online consultations. Many people miss out or delay their appointments and other commitments due to delays in the waiting line at the clinic or the hospital. Many people get stuck in traffic and even miss out on their own appointments. Online consultation is a very feasible solution for everyone.
Online consultation is not only beneficial for patients; doctors can meet and consult all their patients, listen and understand them better without a hurry, and get done within their shift.
Saves Money
Online appointments not only save time but money as well. Traveling by car will cost you fuel, traveling by bus will cost you too. Consulting a doctor from your home will save you these kinds of costs. The only thing you need is a smartphone with a good camera and a stable internet connection.
Easily Accessible
It can be hard, expensive, and time-consuming, for people who reside in remote areas to get a doctor. Receiving professional healthcare advice from a doctor over the internet reduces the need to go there, which can be problematic for persons with mobility issues or those who live in isolated areas and must go to the next city or town for medical assistance.
Medical specialists from all around the country are readily available if you are using an online medical consultation portal. You have unrestricted access to a vast network of highly skilled and experienced medical specialists without having to travel. You can check with your doctor even when you're not at home because online medical consultations have no geographical limitations.
No-Risk of Catching Other Diseases
Visiting the doctor's clinic or the hospital to get better is an odd concept when you think about it. After all, you're going to a place where there are a lot of sick individuals. If you sit for hours waiting for your check-up, you risk contracting a variety of illnesses. This is a cause of concern, especially in times when there is still a significant risk of catching COVID.
There's no chance of catching any disease or infection with your online consultation. If you're a person with a weak immune system, online consultation should be your utmost priority in order to avoid the risk of catching other diseases in a clinic or a hospital.
More Privacy
When you visit a hospital or a clinic, you’re required to fill in a lot of forms and data about your medical history and your current condition. A lot of people are not comfortable with letting others know about their medical conditions.
Also, in hospitals and clinics, more people have access to your personal information compared to online appointments. There is more risk of a breach of privacy.
Online doctor consultations remove all these barriers as well. When connecting with a virtual doctor over the internet, you can freely open up to them about your condition without anyone else listening or recording anything. Also, your doctor will ensure your personal and medical information doesn’t get leaked to someone else and has to ensure full privacy according to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Better Results
Hospital anxiety is a thing, and it can be caused by numerous reasons. Just being in the doctor’s room can stress out a person. All this has an effect on the patient, and oftentimes they don’t completely open up to their doctors. This leaves certain conditions unchecked, which could result in bigger problems.
Telemedicine services help reduce this problem as well. A person is the most comfortable at his own home and can open up freely and talk about their condition with full confidence, explaining their problems to the doctors in a better way. This also helps the doctor make a completely informed decision about the patient and diagnose their problem with more accuracy.
With all of the above things considered, online consultation with a virtual doctor is simply more convenient and comfortable for every. It also makes it affordable for the underprivileged, and uninsured people.
If you’re looking for a reliable telemedicine service in order to speak to a doctor online without a physical visit,TelMDCare should be your go-to option. We bring you an online healthcare service with licensed online doctors and offer consultation for multiple health problems. Our virtual doctors will diagnose you or guide you on what further steps need to be taken. Contact us now or book an appointment.