Intermountain Healthcare, a health delivery network based in Salt Lake City, is testing virtual health care visits, in which patients log on and chat with a doctor from a remote location via iPhone or laptop.
The doctor can examine a wound, rash, or bruise electronically and refer a patient to an online specialist if necessary, or advise them to head to an urgent care center for stitches or further follow-up.
Comments
Does someone want to discuss their most intimate concerns online? This is another chipping away to destroy reliable trust between doctor and patient. To reduce human nuance from the equation is to destroy the social value of a healing relationship produced by personal contact. It will seem satisfactory to 70 to 80% of the population but the minority that requires more attention to affect proper treatment will be dangerously diluted.