Definition
The online doctor-patient relationship is an innovation that came with the technological revolution and gained more popularity in the form of telehealth during COVID-19. Such a relationship can be defined as a connection between healthcare providers and patients with the help of digital platforms (Wang et al., 2023). Online doctor-patient interactions use computer terminals or mobile devices as the media, interacting parties, including patients and doctors, and communication goals such as healthcare consultation or medical exchange (Wang et al., 2023). As a result of this interaction, clients can have more options in terms of care.
Ways of Online Doctor-Patient Interaction
Online healthcare platforms make it simpler for patients and physicians to develop a relationship of confidence and reliance by enabling patients to ask questions. There are several ways in which online doctor-patient interaction can take place. For example, video consultations can be involved, allowing better access for patients living in rural or secluded areas (Wang et al., 2023). Moreover, messaging, email, and distant monitoring can be emphasized as additional ways of using telehealth (Wang et al., 2023). Therefore, there is diversity when it comes to the approaches.
The Popularity of Online Doctor-Patient Interaction Around the World
The popularity of services can be seen in statistics around the world. In reaction to the global pandemic, telemedicine use has rapidly increased in the United States. In 2020, telehealth consultations surged by more than 3000% when compared to information from 2019 (Omboni et al., 2022). Nearly all medical professions experienced this exceptional growth in telemedicine, which also included a wide range of services. Moreover, in Peru, telecommunications services have been established, and 96% of medical systems are currently developing teleconsultation procedures (Omboni et al., 2022).
Telemedicine is already a common part of healthcare in Mexico. From 2019 to 2020, it helped avoid 12,339 personal visits and saved 10 million pesos on medical expenses (Omboni et al., 2022). Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, every nation and city in Asia had its distinct concerns, although they generally had similar difficulties when providing care for individuals with chronic diseases (Omboni et al., 2022). Most nations now provide alternative means, including telemedicine, to help people obtain care. According to a survey in China, 94.6% use a telemedicine system (Omboni et al., 2022). Therefore, telehealth is popular in both developing and developed countries.
Case of Online Doctor-Patient Interaction
A model case of such a relationship involves a patient living in a remote area. Commonly, such patients lack opportunities to commute to areas with better access to healthcare. As a result, with the emergence of telehealth, patients can reach healthcare professionals to have consultations and obtain guidance on their concerns. Overall, such an interaction is characterized by convenience, giving equal access to treatment for patients.
Patients’ Needs in Online Doctor-Patient Interaction
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of online consultations is the doctor-patient connection and how it addresses patients’ needs. The social support that doctors give their patients during a virtual doctor-patient interaction may have an impact on their overall happiness and wellness (Chen et al., 2020). Online social support primarily consists of informational, emotional, and support (Chen et al., 2020).
The eHealth report states that 9.3 million people used eHealth services in 2017. In 2018, the eHealth market generated US$47.60 billion, and by 2023, it is anticipated to generate US$132.35 million (Chang et al., 2019). In general, one can see that the patient’s needs are addressed with the help of telehealth, and its popularity and revenues are the reflections of such a trend. With an ability to cater to the interests of the vulnerable groups of populations and offer them alternatives, both patients and healthcare providers reap benefits.
Pros and Cons
There are many advantages and disadvantages connected to the use of telehealth. Starting with the pros, patients can ask doctors questions online using mobile devices to consult with medical specialists through the Internet (Chang et al., 2019). In the meanwhile, medical professionals can quickly identify symptoms and prescribe medication (Chang et al., 2019). The inability to conduct thorough physical examinations, the potential for technical issues, security breaches, and regulatory obstacles are some drawbacks of telehealth (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021).
Some telehealth opponents fear that the practice may adversely impact the continuum of care, claiming that virtual interactions are impersonal and risky (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021). The reason for this is that they may lack the full benefit of a history and physical examination that can help in diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, there are numerous legal and regulatory issues to telehealth, including wide variances in the laws, rules, and ethical standards (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021). Therefore, while telehealth is praised for its convenience, there are many pitfalls associated with it.
The Effects of Online Doctor-Patient Interaction
Telehealth technologies are being more widely used as a reliable and affordable method of providing and gaining access to high-quality medical services and results. Telemedicine has the ability to lower the cost of health care in America by reducing issues, including pharmaceutical abuse, futile journeys to the emergency room, and extended hospital stays (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021).
Patients in remote areas or regions with a lack of providers can access resources and care with the help of telehealth, which also allows for equivalent or better treatment quality while increasing efficiency without increasing net costs (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021). Patient satisfaction may additionally increase with the usage of telehealth due to easier access to care, convenience, and less stress (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021). Thus, the effects of online doctor-patient interactions can offer many opportunities for healthcare providers and patients.
References
Chang, Y. W., Hsu, P. Y., Wang, Y., & Chang, P. Y. (2019). Integration of online and offline health services: The role of doctor-patient online interaction. Patient Education and Counseling, 102(10), 1905-1910. Web.
Chen, S., Guo, X., Wu, T., & Ju, X. (2020). Exploring the online doctor-patient interaction on patient satisfaction based on text mining and empirical analysis. Information Processing & Management, 57(5), 1-16. Web.
Gajarawala, S. N., & Pelkowski, J. N. (2021). Telehealth benefits and barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17(2), 218–221. Web.
Omboni, S., Padwal, R. S., Alessa, T., Benczúr, B., Green, B. B., Hubbard, I., Kario, K., Khan, N. A., Konradi, A., Logan, A. G., Lu, Y., Mars, M., McManus, R. J., Melville, S., Neumann, C. L., Parati, G., Renna, N. F., Ryvlin, P., Saner, H., Schutte, A. E., … Wang, J. (2022). The worldwide impact of telemedicine during COVID-19: current evidence and recommendations for the future. Connected Health, 1, 7–35. Web.
Wang, Z., Zhang, X., Han, D., Zhao, Y., Ma, L., & Hao, F. (2023). How the use of an online healthcare community affects the doctor-patient relationship: An empirical study in China. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. Web.
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