It Could Become Harder to Talk to Your Doctor
…[A] new policy approved by the Federation of State Medical Boards in late April leaves phone calls out of the definition of traditional telemedicine platforms. That’s upset patient and doctor advocacy groups alike, who say the policy could exclude patients without access to more advanced technologies — particularly lower-income populations. (German Lopez)
State Medical Boards have long opposed telemedicine because it threatens their “traditional” business model. The omission is on purpose. Of course they want the option for advanced practice — video chat, sending radiology graphic across digital networks — even Da Vinci robot. But, some states medical board are afraid some doctors would become hyper competitive and take away business from traditional practices.
“State Medical Boards have long opposed telemedicine because it threatens their “traditional” business model.” Doctors then cannot charge a large mount of money..
Of course they don’t want you to be able to simply make a telephone call for small concerns. It is much more lucrative if you have to come in for a visit.
Is the reason that it excludes lower-income families because they don’t have access to a car or e-mail?
It seems so, yeah. From reading the report, it seems like a lot of the families surveyed had a phone, but no internet or way to get to an actual doctor.
It makes sense, when you think about it. Internet can be really hard to get in rural areas. If you’re that far out, driving in to see a doctor may take several hours.
It would seem like video conferencing would be better than just calling – that way the doctor can actually see the patient and look at what they’re talking about.
At the same time, we shouldn’t shut down an avenue people regularly use to contact a doctor. Especially not if calling is the only practical way they can talk to a doctor.
Still, we shouldn’t shut down an avenue people regularly use to contact a doctor. Especially not if calling is the only practical way they can talk to a doctor.
Personally, I can afford to see a doctor and have access to internet. But my doctor’s office has a phone line I’ll call in and use anyway. It’s cheaper and a lot quicker to chat with an RN or a doctor over the phone for something little than to go in.
That sounds neat. Is it available after hours?
Yeah! It’s 24 hours. Which is also super convenient, in case I need help after they close.
I guess you kind of fit in with the study then, huh? “The study also found, in a bit of a surprise to researchers, that telemedicine users required less follow-up care following a remote consultation”
Exactly. If I’m just calling, it’s usually something like “hey, do I have the flu or a cold” or “I think I sprained my ankle, how do I tell?” I’m not trying to figure out if I have the Plague. That I’ll go in for.