Virtual Care

22 Jul 2021 admin

Top 6 Telemedicine Myths Busted

Telemedicine refers to a service where a licensed medical professional provides clinical services through various forms of communication technology. This can include sharing your lab results and medical imagery with another location, tracking your vital signs remotely, or you can talk to a specialist though a live video or phone chat. Most people are familiar with the first two options, but telemedicine is a relatively new concept for many. But the fact is, telemedicine has been successfully used around the world since the 1960s. But telemedicine has become increasingly popular since COVID-19, and as a result, more and more people are discovering the benefits of telemedicine. That said, despite the ease and convenience, there are misconceptions and myths about telemedicine that could be preventing it from being more widely adopted. Here we debunk six of the most common telemedicine myths.

A Physical Exam Is Needed to Diagnose Me

One of the most common telemedicine myths is that you need to complete a physical exam before being diagnosed and treated by a doctor. But this isn’t always true. Visiting a doctor’s office isn’t viable for a lot of people, whether due to where they live or even their medical condition. That’s one of the benefits of telemedicine. In many cases, all a specialist needs to treat and diagnose you is your medical history and list of symptoms. According to one recent survey, 90% of Canadian patients have a high, favourable impression of the use of telemedicine, saying they appreciated the reduced exposure to others, ease of access for those in remote regions, and the ability to receive timely, individualized advice. With telemedicine, you can be treated by a doctor whenever and wherever you live.

Telemedicine Is Expensive

In Canada, most healthcare services are provided for “free.” But there are still costs associated with seeing a doctor in person. You need to take time away from work, there are travel expenses, and child-care costs. And everyone knows the parking fees at hospitals are exorbitant. The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers the cost of a telemedicine consultation in Ontario.

Telemedicine Doctors Aren’t “Real” Doctors

Another common myth about telemedicine is that the specialist you see during your online doctor’s appointment isn’t “real.” This isn’t true either. Any doctor providing telemedicine service is licensed and certified within their specialty to diagnose and treat your issue. Legally, the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada’s provinces and territories set the standards of care for the practice of medicine. With any patient-physician interaction, the medical interest of the patient comes first. From an ethical and professional standpoint, the same holds true whether the consultation is done in person or through telemedicine.

Telemedicine Isn’t Secure

Ensuring your confidential health information is secure is of paramount importance for telemedicine providers. Online platforms like Skype and Facetime are not secure. But telemedicine technology is designed specifically to protect patient information and adheres 100% to Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

It’s Too Difficult for Senior Citizens

Email, text messaging, and video conferencing have been widely used for decades. Which means most of today’s senior citizens have experience using the kind of technology used for telemedicine. Studies show that many seniors don’t use telemedicine, not because they can’t, but because it hasn’t been an option. Approximately 60% of senior citizens say they’d use telemedicine for a return visit, and 55% would use it for a follow-up after a procedure or surgery.

Telemedicine Can Only Be Used to Treat Established Patients

You do not need to have a prior relationship with a specialist or doctor to book a telemedicine appointment. In fact, a survey conducted by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) found that almost half (46%) of Canadians would prefer a virtual method as a first point of contact with their doctor. So, if you’re new to somewhere like Ottawa, and haven’t found a physician yet or don’t want to leave the comfort of your home, you can start by booking a telemedicine appointment and set up an online doctor’s appointment.

MD Connected Ltd. – Canadian Healthcare Made Simple

Virtual healthcare has been used in Canada for decades, but COVID-19 has increased both the awareness and benefits of telemedicine. Even after the pandemic, telemedicine is expected to be the go-to choice for many Canadians. If you’d like to connect with a doctor or specialist from the comfort of your home, on your own schedule, contact the medical professionals at MD Connected Ltd. A leader in virtual healthcare, the licensed doctors at MD Connected provide you with personalized end-to-end care, through a diagnosis, assessment, and treatment plan. Because its virtual, it doesn’t matter where you live in Canada, MD Connected can help. How does it work? In just a few easy steps you can get connected with a licensed Canadian doctor. Click the “book a virtual visit” button on our website and request an appointment and connect with one of our doctors. It’s that simple. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians have used MD Connected for general consultations, prescription renewals, sexual health, mental wellness, travel health, and sick notes and forms. To learn more about MD Connected Ltd., contact us by visiting www.mdconnected.ca or e-mail us at mydoc@mdconnected.ca.