Marla Ahlgrimm: High Tech Healthcare

A few years ago, the only way to get face-to-face with your healthcare provider was to schedule an appointment, drive to the office, and wait. However, according to Marla Ahlgrimm, times are changing, and now many healthcare providers offer online appointments. Keep reading for more information on how these on-demand doctors operate and the kinds of issues they can treat remotely.

Q: What is an online doctors appointment?

Marla Ahlgrimm: An online doctors appointment is exactly what it sounds like. Your healthcare provider video conferences with you to discuss your health concerns. The appointment, which will usually last around 15 minutes and takes place by way of the internet, may be attended via a desktop computer or smart device.

Q: Are there benefits to skipping the office?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Absolutely. First, doctors offices are full of germs, which can only worsen certain health problems. For example, during flu season you run a greater risk of picking up this virus walking into a room full of people with fevers. If you only have a minor health concern, such as heartburn or dry eyes, it makes sense to receive remote care to avoid coming into contact with something much worse. Further, you do not have to wait until your doctor is done with the previous appointment, and you won’t have to pack yourself and your family up for a road trip if you are feeling unwell.

Q: What kind of information can a healthcare professional gather from an online appointment?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Surprisingly quite a bit. For non-life-threatening issues, a video call can help a doctor piece together the cause of your illness. They will review your intake form, which will point them toward a certain diagnosis. They will talk to you about the duration and other symptoms that you may have forgotten to mention. They will ask you the same questions they would the office and observe your physical appearance.

Q: Can a video appointment diagnose every condition?

Marla Ahlgrimm: No. If your doctor believes that you need further testing, such as being checked for strep throat, they will refer you to a local provider.