Question

Are there circumstances in which a virtual medical visit or hospital stay would be inferior to an in-person interaction? If so, when?

Answer 1

Virtual Visit is a modern technology where patients are virtually connected to clinicians through the available communications technology. It happens in real-time and can happen virtually from anywhere. This breaks the conventional notion of visiting a hospital- where the conventional from was to go to the clinic and see the doctor in person. It does have advantages in certain cases- especially when there is issue of logistics and mobility. However, this might not give the edge where in-person interaction would give. Some of the circumstances are:

- Doctors will no longer be able to communicate effectively the affectional part through touch or bodily communication.

- A patient who is already ill might feel better with using the technology or the screen.

- The feeling of safety and surrounded by clinical experts can be missing- thus giving a psychological gap in gratification.