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The Convenience of Telemedicine Comes with Some Major Downsides
summarizeEditor's Summary
As a mom of twins, I've had my fair share of medical emergencies. Living in a small town with limited medical facilities made regular hospital visits a real challenge. That's when I discovered online consultation apps with doctors, which have been a game changer for me. But, like anything, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. In this review, I'll share my honest experience with telemedicine and what you can expect.
settingsSpecifications
Kararİyi
HizmetKalite9/10
UzakMüdahale7/10
DoktorKalitesi8/10
Hello!
I've had my fair share of medical emergencies, especially after having twins five years ago. Living in a small town with limited medical facilities made regular hospital visits a real challenge. I'd often have to drive 1.5 hours to the neighboring city with two kids, one of whom has a disability. That's when I discovered online consultation apps with doctors.
I've got a ton of medical apps on my phone, so I organized them into a separate folder. It's really helpful for keeping everything in one place.
You can add not just yourself, but your kids too. However, anyone over 18 has to create their own account. That's pretty standard, but it's something to consider.
Right now, I've got profiles set up for myself and my daughter. Adding new patients is super easy and only takes a couple of minutes.
On the main page, you can book a same-day consultation (within 10 minutes) or schedule one for later. You can choose a specialist by their specialty - I usually go with pediatricians, pulmonologists, and gastroenterologists, but there are plenty of options.
I've had to book emergency consultations a few times, and they're a lot cheaper than regular appointments. However, don't expect a full-on consultation – it's more like a mini-session to discuss test results or answer a specific question.
I'm a regular at consultations – you can check out my event log to see how often I've booked appointments. This month alone, I've had three consultations, and I'm due for another one, but I haven't had time to schedule a regular appointment with my doctor yet.
You can browse through doctors based on their descriptions and reviews. After each consultation, patients leave ratings for the doctor, and the most common ratings are displayed right on the doctor's photo.
There are a few ways to get in touch – chat, audio, or video. For now, I prefer audio, but when my kids were younger, I used to rely on chat so I wouldn't wake them up while they were sleeping.
Each doctor shares their expertise and work experience, which helps you make an informed decision when choosing a doctor.
Here's what the consultation protocol looks like after the appointment – it's all stored in the app, so you can access it anytime.
One thing that's worth noting about the consultation process is that the length can vary. Typically, it's around 15-30 minutes. The maximum duration is listed when you book the consultation, and let's be real, you can't just chat with the doctor all day!
It's also a good idea to check out what other patients have to say about their experience with the doctor.
And this is where things get a bit shady. I recently had a consultation with a gastroenterologist that left me questioning the platform's reliability.
I paid 2,000 rubles for a 30-minute consultation, and within a few minutes of starting, the doctor sent me a message in the chat saying I needed to undergo further testing, which she'd outline in the consultation protocol. I was taken aback, and I told her so.
Usually, doctors will give you a clear rundown of what you need to do next, but this one seemed to be in a rush. I was pretty upset, and I let her know.
I filed a complaint with the support team, saying I wasn't satisfied with the consultation and that I wanted a refund. To their credit, they did investigate and returned my money within 24 hours. I got it back on my card the next day.
At the same time, I left a negative review about the doctor. It's been stuck in moderation for 10 days now.
Yesterday, I asked the support team about the status of my review, and they promised to get back to me via SMS. But so far, nothing. It's like they're trying to sweep the whole thing under the rug.
Now, I'm starting to wonder: if they're not publishing negative reviews, how can you trust the platform? It's all one-sided, and it seems like they're just cherry-picking the good reviews to make themselves look better.
And that's not all - another major issue I have with this platform is that you can't get a tax refund for the consultations. I'm talking about the 13% VAT refund through the tax authorities. It adds up, and I'm not happy about it.
Using this platform is doable if you can't make it to a doctor in person, but you've got to be picky about choosing a doc. Now, I'm not gonna consult with a doctor who's got a ton of consultations under their belt but barely any reviews - what if all the old ones got deleted?
live_helpFeatured FAQ
How do I get started with telemedicine?
Most telemedicine apps require you to create an account, which is usually free. You can then browse the list of available doctors and schedule a virtual consultation.
What kind of medical conditions can be treated via telemedicine?
Telemedicine is suitable for non-emergency medical conditions, such as colds, flu, allergies, and minor injuries.
Can I use telemedicine with my kids?
Yes, many telemedicine apps allow you to create profiles for your kids, but anyone over 18 must create their own account.
Is telemedicine covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage varies, so be sure to check your policy before using telemedicine.
What if I experience technical issues during a telemedicine consultation?
If you encounter technical issues, try restarting your device or contacting the telemedicine app's customer support.
Can I get a refund if I'm not satisfied with telemedicine?
Refund policies vary by telemedicine app, so be sure to review their terms and conditions before signing up.
Is telemedicine suitable for emergency situations?
No, telemedicine is not suitable for emergency situations that require immediate attention, such as heart attacks or strokes.
Can I use telemedicine with multiple doctors?
Yes, many telemedicine apps allow you to create profiles for multiple doctors, making it easy to manage your medical care.
check_circlePros
- •Convenient access to doctors from the comfort of my own home
- •Saved me time and effort, especially with two kids to care for
- •Easy to use and navigate, even for someone not tech-savvy like me
- •Helped me manage my kids' medical needs, including my daughter's disability
- •Reduced the stress of waiting in long hospital lines
- •Allowed me to get medical attention quickly, even on weekends and holidays
cancelCons
- •Limited medical facilities in my area made it difficult to get in-person care
- •Some doctors may not be familiar with telemedicine or my specific needs
- •Technical issues can arise, like poor internet connectivity or audio quality
- •Not all medical conditions can be treated via telemedicine
- •Insurance coverage may vary, so be sure to check your policy
- •May not be suitable for emergency situations that require immediate attention
