I also apologize that you wasted a whole day, spent all that money (even with the low gas prices), missed work, school and much more…for only a 10-15 minute visit. I hope it was worth, because most times, it isn’t.

It seems comical, but this scenario is so common in our healthcare system, especially in rural America.

When this situation happens, we should really feel ashamed, as health professionals and as regular human beings.

It is known, that about 80% of doctor’s office visits don’t require physical touch. It is a fact that more and more, virtual visits are being reimbursed in most states, and eventually, we will get there, where all visits are covered by your insurance, no matter whether virtual or in-person, because in reality, it DOES NOT MATTER.

It is a fact that most healthcare clinics and practices are inefficient, and that providers are overworked and pressed for time, asked to be doing more and more.

It seems that the time available  is not enough, as if we need more time with the patients in order to be able to sort out the complexities of their case and the end be safe and helpful to their problems.

I would argue: We, Doctors, don’t need more time with the patients!  What we need is BETTER TIME with them, BETTER TIME MANAGEMENT; not more minutes BUT BETTER minutes.

I believe that there’s where technology, the smart use of technology, plays a vital role.

The current communication and computing platforms, mobile or not, allow almost anyone to potentially connect with their doctors, their hospitals, their laboratory,  their pharmacy or their electronic medical records (EMR). Most people already check information online, buy things online, do our banking online, “mail” online, video-chat online, play online, etc. Why does Healthcare needs to be different? It Does Not need to be!

If you had a medical question, a concern, a doubt…wouldn’t it be great if you could ask the question to a trusted doctor, no matter when or where you were? It would be like having a Doctor In Your Pocket!

 

There is a new platform called Curely, which allows you to do that. It gives you the freedom and peace of mind to always have a doctor as close as your cellphone.Even in cases of low connectivity or low bandwidth, you can text, chat, email and send photos of your problem and a Curely doctor is always there to help.

It was conceived by Doctors; for Patients and Doctors,  to improve the reach healthcare, to “Democratize” Access to Medicine.

Try it today and see for yourself.