Modern Doctors’ House Calls: Skype Chat and Fast Diagnosis
The ability to video-conference with you doctor is "shaking up basic medical care" according to this New York Times piece. Health insurers are reportedly "rushing" to integrate telemedicine and telehealth services, but there is significant pushback. Some states are trying to cut back on telehealth, and some are even legislating against it amidst concerns that the service could actually increase costs, and worse still, misdiagnose patients. Telemedicine enjoys bipartisan support in government, with an influential bill passing last Friday supporting its use in the future.&nbsp;
TACOMA, Wash. — One night, when her face turned puffy and painful from what she thought was a sinus infection, Jessica DeVisser briefly considered going to an urgent care clinic, but then decided to try something “kind of sci-fi.”

She sat with her laptop on her living room couch, went online and requested a virtual consultation. She typed in her symptoms and credit card number, and within half an hour, a doctor appeared on her screen via Skype. He looked her over, asked some questions and agreed she had sinusitis. In minutes, Ms. DeVisser, a stay-at-home mother, had an antibiotics prescription called in to her pharmacy.

The same forces that have made instant messaging and video calls part of daily life for many Americans are now shaking up basic medical care. Health systems and insurers are rushing to offer video consultations for routine ailments, convinced they will save money and relieve pressure on overextended primary care systems in cities and rural areas alike. And more people like Ms. DeVisser, fluent in Skype and FaceTime and eager for cheaper, more convenient medical care, are trying them out.

“I’m terrible about going to the doctor, just because of the time it takes,” Ms. DeVisser, 35, said. “This feels empowering: You just click a button and the doctor comes to you.”