Through Lyte Medical’s telemedicine service, you can receive medical care or advice online from an online physician anytime or anywhere. When you’re feeling ill or have general questions about your health, you usually call your family physician’s office and schedule an appointment. If it’s late at night, you may even head to an urgent care clinic. As communication technology advances and becomes the norm, more options become available.
What Is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine first made its debut in the 1950’s and is still evolving to this day. Doctors have been making use of communications technologies to get second opinions, expert input, and diagnostic services from around the world. Only recently has telemedicine become available to the average patient, with the same advantages doctors have been relying on for decades.
It has allowed patients to make online doctor visits without leaving the comfort of their own home. This can range from a simple doctor’s note or prescription, to in-depth psychiatric evaluations and coordinated oncology care. Virtual doctors are able to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients at a distance using a phone or video chat.
How Does Telemedicine Work?
There are some emergency situations that require an immediate trip to the ER. Other instances require physical investigations to achieve an accurate diagnosis. However, telemedicine is very useful for simple issues and follow-up consultations.
For example, if you have a cut that you think might be infected, you can schedule an online doctor visit with Lyte medical professionals to discuss your symptoms. If you feel like you’re getting strep throat on vacation, you can communicate with a Canadian physician online. Even if you simply need birth control medication, you can chat through your needs and get a same-day prescription.
It’s helpful for a variety of other health issues including psychotherapy and teledermatology, which offers consultations of moles, rashes, and other non-urgent conditions. The multiple cameras on your phone can finally rise above simple selfie-machines, and assist our doctors in finding a diagnosis.
Colds and the flu, insect bites, sore throats, diarrhea, and pinkeye are often conditions that might not warrant a visit to the doctor’s office. With telemedicine, these symptoms and ailments can be documented in your medical history. Even a benign and subtle symptom, that would otherwise be overlooked, may educate future decisions for your health and wellness.
The Benefits of Telemedicine
Today, healthcare is still not easily accessed by much of the population: the driving force behind the growth of telemedicine. If a patient lives in a rural remote area or their schedule makes it difficult for them to visit a doctor, telemedicine can help improve overall health and well-being for these underserved communities.
In Canada, we’re privileged to receive high-quality care without the need to pay out-of-pocket. Unfortunately, there can be many costs associated with simply accessing that care. From arranging transportation, to finding a baby-sitter, there is a network of annoyances and expenses that may arise from a basic doctor’s appointment.
As technology advances and the popularity of telemedicine grows, insurance plans offer coverage for telemedicine visits—even going so far as to suggest them as a front-line option for basic healthcare. Appointments with Lyte Medical are completely covered by your provincial health coverage, no different from an ordinary trip to your general practitioner.
Making healthcare more accessible
Telemedicine doesn’t guarantee that you can avoid the doctor’s office. But it does make it easier and more accessible, giving you peace of mind for ailments that might otherwise go untreated, and offering timely consultation on symptoms that “can wait” until it’s too late. Online doctor’s appointments offer an option that works for your schedule, wherever you are.
