An online doctor visit provides numerous benefits to you as a patient. Have you ever considered the many mutual benefits of telehealth for you and your physician?

1. Flexibility

Patients and physicians alike love the flexibility of working on a virtual platform.

When doctors work from their home offices, they can make better use of their downtime because they're already home. With no commute, they have more time for family, sleep, and leisure.

Similarly, when you choose to see an online doctor, you can meet them virtually from anywhere on a compatible device. If your medical issue can be managed in a virtual visit, you can return to what you were doing after completing your visit.

2. One-on-one attention

HealthTap physicians have expressed how much they enjoy the one-on-one attention they can give patients. It may seem contradictory. Isn't face-to-face in an exam room more one-on-one?

Speaking with a doctor on screen and then being able to follow up with them through text messaging after the visit can really help a patient connect with their doctor. You can communicate more quickly, frequently, comfortably, and candidly.

Doctors appreciate having a closer connection to their patients. At the same time, many patients love this more personalized care.

3. A transparent rating system

Star rating systems for online doctors, like those provided by HealthTap, deliver honest and instant feedback on how well the doctors are doing. They can take that feedback and apply it to improve the quality of care they provide to patients. 

A good star rating can also increase a doctor’s visibility among potential new patients. Now, more patients are likely to choose them as their primary care doctor.

Rating systems may also help patients because they can read reviews of different doctors. Learning what other patients love about a doctor may help them choose a doctor who works best for them. 

4. A trusting relationship

Trust is important in any relationship. If a patient doesn't trust their doctor, they're less likely to do what the doctor recommends. In this situation, the patient will benefit less from these visits than they would from a visit with a doctor they trust.

HealthTap tools like the doctor rating system and enhanced communication tools, like text messaging, can increase trust. From a physician’s perspective, they can feel they're making a direct impact on their patient’s progress and overall wellness.

As a patient, seeing your online doctor seems like less of a chore. It's more like updating a friend on how you've been and getting their advice — except it’s professional medical advice.

5. Regular care for chronic conditions

It’s good for patients with chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure to check in with their online doctor more frequently. They can discuss their blood pressure or blood glucose readings and their management efforts.

Their primary care doctor can help patients improve their numbers and keep them motivated and engaged.

Primary care doctors can also help manage their patients’ medications and update their online prescription as needed. Seeing the same primary care doctor online can make it easier for patients to get refills on their medications. This may prevent patients from skipping doses of medications for chronic conditions. Seeing an online doctor removes physical, financial, and emotional barriers that prevent patients from getting their medications.

All doctors want to feel like they're making a difference. They benefit when they're working with patients who are more engaged in managing their condition. Patients can also reduce their risk of health complications that come with poor chronic condition management.

6. Getting more reliable health information

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 61 percent of people in the United States turn to the Internet when they have a health question. It's exciting to have this technology. At the same time, it can be scary because it’s hard to  know if the person answering a health question is qualified to do so.

Seeing an online doctor through video visits is part of virtual care. However, that's not all of it.

When you become a HealthTap subscriber, you also gain access to HealthTap's Q&A where members ask health questions and real doctors from the HealthTap Doctor Network answer. The answers are posted anonymously and therefore others can also learn from the answers.

Patients get more accurate information from HealthTap’s Q&A than other internet resources. Online doctors may also benefit because their patients come into their office visits with less misinformation about medical conditions.

“It is a pleasure to answer patient questions on this platform," noted Dr. Sah in a recent interview. "I appreciate the need to have a rapid response to questions regarding one's health. It can be a challenge in today's world to obtain reliable information from experts. Providing that reassurance to patients is rewarding to me.”

7. Not feeling rushed

In traditional medical settings, doctors and patients may feel rushed through appointments in busy urgent care or primary care clinics.

This demanding work environment can lead to high rates of burnout among physicians. In 2021, a Medscape survey of 13,000 physicians found close to half acknowledged feeling burned out. They collected data across specialties and found some experienced burnout more than others.

Telehealth doctors are less likely to experience burnout. They work more flexible schedules from their home office. As a result, they get to:

• Spend more time with patients.
• Work in a more relaxed environment.
• Feel like they're making a difference — one patient at a time.

As a patient, telehealth visits can also feel more laid back, especially without the added stress of driving to an appointment and waiting in a crowded waiting room. You sense your online doctor is taking time to listen to you and understand what you truly need to be your healthiest.

Choose a wonderful alternative with an online doctor visit

Many patients feel rushed in in-person care settings. Getting to a physical office can be a barrier to quality care for patients. Doctors who work in this setting may feel overwhelmed or burned out.

Telehealth provides a solution which benefits both doctors and patients. When you choose a HealthTap primary care doctor, you're a part of the HealthTap community and the solution.