Proper and affordable healthcare is a concern for everyone, especially for employees who work fulltime. Getting sick while on the job is something everyone wants to avoid considering there are only a limited number of paid sick leaves. More than just on a personal level, your being sick can also affect the overall productivity of your team and the company as a whole. Instead of scheduling an appointment at your primary doctor or going to an urgent-care clinic, there is now the option of getting an online diagnosis and prescription. The following is a quick introduction to virtual medical consultations.
Understanding the Concept and How It Works
Online medical consultations are growing as an alternative for many across the country. How it works is simple. Most providers require the creation of a secure account. From there, you will have to choose a particular plan. If such services are part of your employment contract, consult with human resources or other relevant departments if you do not already have information about how to go about the procedure.
Once you settle all details, you simply have to sign in to the service and begin your medical or mental health consultation. Webcams, microphones, and speakers play a major part in conducting thorough and proper consultations. The virtual doctor visit is impossible if you do not have the appropriate audio and visual specs on your computer. This is why you may want to read about technical requirements before signing up for a particular service. Some providers require the use of specific browsers and other gadgets.
When it is over, the practitioner you consult with can submit an e-prescription to your local pharmacy. It is important to stress that most providers are not online pharmacies. Information about the medicines prescribed to you go to the local pharmacy of your choice, and you pick it up. You also receive a copy of the exam for record-keeping purposes. The medical services they provide are also not a replacement for care from your primary physician.
Requirements and Ailments Treated
As with most other transactions, most providers require members and patients to be 18 years of age or older. For minors, a parent or legal guardian must be present at the time of the visit. Considering the transaction is online, you must have a valid email address to set up your account. Finally, you will need a major credit card to complete the entire process.
Ailments treated vary according to provider. Although this is the case, there are some health conditions treated by nearly all major providers. Examples of these include most common allergies, cough, fever, flu, skin infections, typical headaches, and many others. For a comprehensive listing, it is best to browse through the website of your virtual medical provider. As for medications, most make digital prescriptions when appropriate and the most common ones prescribed include antibiotics like Amoxicillin and other meds like Flagyl, Flexerin, Zofran, and Bactrim.