A Complete Guide on How to Take an Appointment Online

If you are feeling unwell and suspect a problem that might need medical attention, you should probably seek professional help. But it’s difficult to get out of your bed, dress up and see your nearest healthcare provider… right? Well, this is where virtual clinics come plug in all the convenience and comfort you need to resolve your problems. With online healthcare support, you can access best healthcare professionals from across the globe with just a touch on touch on your screen. Curious? Here’s a beginner’s guide on how to access online doctors form the comfort of your couch.

Step 1: Turn on Your Screen of Course!!

It is pretty understandable that you will need some device be it a smartphone, tablet, laptop or a PC to access various channels and portals providing online health services. You’ll also need an internet connection to book your appointment online (pretty obvious).

Step 2: Look for a Suitable Virtual Clinic.

The next step in line is to find a suitable virtual healthcare provider. Now, there are a lot of service providers on the internet but you will need to look for a suitable virtual service with a broad spectrum addressing maximum problems in its coverage program. Here are a few that can considered for such purpose:

Tia Health:

Tia Health is an excellent option if you are looking to hire an online doctor for your medical concerns. This specific platform provides options of virtual consultations through phone calls, private messages and online chats. You can discuss your condition, receive opinions and prescriptions (yes, you heard kt right) and even get a referral if necessary. (1)

GOeVisit: 

It’s another platform with impressive prospects in the medical field. GO Visit is an app that allows people to have clinical interviews with Canadian practitioners. The app is easy to download and has simple steps to follow. You are asked to describe your symptoms in a SmartExam clinical interview. After reviewing the symptoms, a licensed physician comes up with a diagnosis and a complete treatment plan. The patient is also provided detailed summary of the meeting, prescription (if any) and referral letters if required. (1)

Maven: 

It provides online health services that can be accessed via both browser and smartphone app, 24/7. It specifically directs telehealth services towards women and their families including services such as fertility counseling, prenatal and postnatal care, mental health counseling and primary pediatric care. The upfront pricing for these virtual visits starts from as low as $20 but various memberships are available with additional incentives. This service not only incorporates licensed physicians but also allows its audience to interact with nutritionists and holistic medicine experts. Another interesting feature of the app is its peer community where different patients can interact with each other too. However, this feature is only available for permanent members of the platform. (1)

Health Tap:

Next in line is Health Tap, an online healthcare service that covers primary care, pediatric counselling, maternal health services etc. The distinctive feature of this particular platform is provision of mental health support and psychiatric counselling. With a membership fee of only $15 per month, it is highly cost-effective. Licensed practitioners can be accessed through this platform and expert opinions can be received. The healthcare providers can also transmit your prescriptions to a pharmacy of your liking. Unfortunately, people with free accounts can only get their hands on limited AI based health support. (1)

Step 3: Confirm an Appointment

Booking your slot through Sign-in Accounts

Most virtual clinics demand creating an account for accessing healthcare services. Creating an account is not much of a puzzle. Using simple steps and putting in the required credentials, people can easily create their account and look for physicians of their liking from among a list of physicians with different experiences and degrees (displayed in their portfolio). (2)

Can I use Toll Free Numbers to Confirm my Appointment?

Yes. Most online portals provide the facility of contacting them through tool free numbers that can be used to confirm an online visit. Apart from booking an appointment, customer support also addresses all your concerns and provides adequate suggestions to improve the overall experience.

Step 4: Receive Expert Opinion on The Go.

Once you have confirmed your appointment, you are good to go.

References:

1- Best online doctors. [Internet]. Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/best-online-doctors-4802175

2- Online doctors Ontario [Internet]. Available at:https://www.blogto.com/city/2020/04/online-doctor-ontario-virtual/