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Blue Cross Creating Video Doctor Visits

Video Appointment vs. Real Doctor's Visit?

May 8, 2009

Between the drive to the office and waiting time once you arrive, seeing your doctor can end up taking hours. As a time-saving option, Blue Cross is rolling out a new service this Fall — video doctor visits. You connect with your doc via video on your computer, avoiding the office entirely. These medical video chats will not only save time but prevent the spread of germs as well. It could be a convenient alternative for routine visits or everyday illnesses, but obviously wouldn't be recommended for serious issues like chest pains. Watch the video below for more details, and tell me if you'd be into video visits with your doctor.

9 Comments

KMattes 4 years 2 weeks

We already have this here in Hawaii, I think it's a great idea!

dsmendes 4 years 2 weeks

Actually, Kaiser Permanente has an email your doctor function which has been a lifesaver for me in a lot of cases. I'm usually able to run down the symptoms of something and my MD is required to respond within 48 hours. She has always been right on. If she thinks it's urgent, she calls me herself and makes an appointment with me. Saves me tons of time.

robs1325 4 years 2 weeks

You cannot physically examine a patient via computer. What a horrible thing!

Spectra 4 years 2 weeks

This would be so helpful for little appointments, like a medication check or just a general question/answer session. Like tlsgirl said, if you have had a UTI or a yeast infection in the past and you know you have one, it can be helpful to be able to get your Rx right then instead of having to make an appointment. But for anything else, you'd have to have face-to-face interaction.

Allytta 4 years 2 weeks

I saw my GP today, it took me 10min to walk there and it was 9.10am so no waiting. i was out of there in 20min.

fleurfairy 4 years 2 weeks

Gone are the days when doctors would actually make house calls. What's next? Texting your symptoms? Could the medical profession be anymore impersonal these days?

tlsgirl 4 years 2 weeks

I think it could be awesome for smaller things, and I'll admit to hating the waiting room. If I'm going for something fairly routine, like a UTI, all I can think of are all the germs that I'm probably getting while hanging out with actual sick people.

gothamgal 4 years 2 weeks

If I had a follow-up visit scheduled that required a cursory visual check -- is the rash spreading? -- then a video consult would be fine. But nothing can replace the more necessary in-person visit. Also, non-verbal cues would not necessarily be evident on video -- the mien, the affect, smell, etc., of the patient.

le romantique 4 years 2 weeks

No way... some people need the in person interaction... i think all people do... pretty soon people will never leave there houses! Have you seen Wall-E? haha... its so true!!!

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9 Comments

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