Written by Yvette Brazier Published: Monday 4 April 2016
Patients who set up virtual visits with physicians through a website are experiencing varying qualities of care, according to research published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
In a commercial virtual visit, patients use a website to request a live consultation with a doctor they have not met before. They will consult with the physician through a video conference, telephone or web chat. Commercial virtual visit companies do not offer in-person care, but they are easy to access, especially for consultations about acute conditions. They can be an attractive option for patients who have difficulty accessing conventional health care, such as primary care practices, retail clinics and urgent care centers. In 2013, less than 50% of American adults were able to make an appointment with their physician on the same or the next day, and fewer than 40% had access to care outside regular hours, unless they went to the emergency department.
SOURCE: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308630.php
