Over recent years, healthcare has changed dramatically.
Now, online GP appointments – and telehealth more broadly – have become a positive force within the industry.
If you weren’t already aware, telehealth is when telecommunications technology is used to provide healthcare. Primarily, this is through telephone and online video appointments.
For example, if you were to speak to your doctor through a video call app, then this would be classed as telehealth.
Currently, 22% of Americans use telehealth services (U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey Data). Essentially, almost one out of every four Americans speak to their doctors via telehealth, which highlights just how important it’s become!
So, what are the advantages of online GP appointments compared to traditional appointments? Below is a closer look at this phenomenon.
Table of Contents
1. Shorter Waiting Times
Typically, you can arrange an online appointment with your GP much faster than an in-person one. This means that you can finally wave bye-bye to those long weeks spent waiting for your in-person appointment to arrive.
After registering with nhsgp.net, you can gain access to all of their online GP services, including virtual GP appointments. This is incredibly helpful for people who don’t like long waiting times and want the comfort of knowing they can quickly speak to a GP whenever they need one.
2. No Travel Required
Sometimes, traveling to an in-person GP appointment can be incredibly frustrating. Often, it means taking time off work and traveling a significant distance, which are two inconveniences that the average person doesn’t want to deal with. It can also lead to people delaying going to the doctor in the hope that their symptoms improve on their own.
With online GP appointments, though, this simply isn’t the case. Instead, you can speak to a GP from the comfort of your own home. All you need is a smartphone, laptop, or PC, and you’re ready to go. For elderly and disabled people, this is especially beneficial!
3. Get the Prescriptions You Need
Even though you’re speaking to your GP online, they can still prescribe you any medication that you require. That’s right: in most cases, an in-person examination isn’t required. Through a video call, they can quickly identify the problem and then make the required prescription. For example, if you’ve sprained your ankle, the GP might prescribe painkillers as well as recommend that you buy an elastic bandage.
4. Reduce Your Anxiety
Iatrophobia (fear of going to see a doctor) is a surprisingly common problem around the world!
Before, a survey found that one in three Americans suffer from this problem, which is a huge amount of people. Fortunately, online GP appointments help to reduce the anxiety and fear that some people suffer from when visiting the doctor. This is because there’s a boundary in place, and you’re not being examined in person.
5. Work Around Your Schedule
Many online GPs allow you to schedule call-back appointments. This is when a doctor will call you via telephone or video call at a specific time that you’ve scheduled. This is particularly handy for professionals and parents who live busy lives.