Navigating the Health Industry Online

By Luke Styles –

The Internet has changed the way the health industry interacts with patients beyond recognition over the past decade. The web is a great source for knowledge and legitimate health assistance. Online services enable individuals to order prescription medications cheaply and easily from pharmacies; appointments with healthcare providers can be made from the comfort of home; specialist clinics can be searched for, and the quality of services offered can be compared. In addition, patients are able to access websites such as health.gov for advice on a whole range of medical problems.

Online pharmacies

Here in the US thousands of patients every year order their prescriptions online. This brings a number of benefits:

• Ordering online overcomes any mobility issues the patient may have
• There is no need to leave home to order and collect prescriptions
• It is often possible to order prescriptions from overseas pharmacies at much reduced prices
• Medications are delivered directly to the patient’s home
• Shipping costs are either free or minimal

While there are significant benefits to be gained by purchasing drugs online it is essential that consumers take some time to check that they are properly licensed. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) carries out inspections of mail-order pharmacies and only issues a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites Seal to the ones that meet its strict criteria. Unfortunately there are some sites that display fake seals, so the NABP suggests consumers visit their website where they will find a list of VIPPS-accredited pharmacies.

The NABP only issues its seal of approval to US based sites and in order to achieve major savings patients need to look at pharmacies located in countries such as Canada and the UK, both of which license online pharmacies to a similar standard. Other ways of checking the reliability of a site is to look for a genuine contact telephone number that has a real person at the other end and confirm that copies of prescriptions must be provided before any drugs are shipped. 

Online appointments

The vast majority of doctors and dentists allow their patients to book appointments online. In the past it would be necessary to either call into the doctor’s clinic or to make a telephone call, which often meant being put on hold for several minutes before being put through to a receptionist. By booking appointments online such issues are completely overcome and the entire process takes just a few minutes. Thanks to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers appointments can be made at any time of the day or night and wherever the world the individual happens to be.

Having the ability to book appointments online also reduces the pressure on busy clinics, as fewer receptionists are required, which cuts costs and those who are employed are able to focus on more important tasks, thus improving the efficiency of the clinic.

Searching for clinics online

The advent of the Internet has made it possible for local clinics that specialize in a variety of services; for example cosmetic surgery, to make them known to a much wider audience, by state, nationally or even globally. It has never been so easy to access information on so many procedures, so quickly.

Individuals are able to surf the net and compile and compare a list of clinics that offer the specific procedure they require, before making a final decision on which to select. They can also take a look at the qualifications and experience individual practitioners possess and testimonials from previous patients. A good example of what to look for in a reputable clinic is the Baker Center for Plastic Surgery, who are well known for their Denver breast implants, and whose website provides detailed information on Dr. Baker, his staff, the various procedures available, before and after images and a list of testimonials.

Putting patient’s records online

The federal government is promoting an initiative that aims to give individuals across the country direct online access to their medical records. The hope is that they will use them to personally manage their health. The healthcare industry; doctors and dentists, for example, will be able to delve into these records in order to identify patients who are failing to follow the courses of treatment they have been prescribed or who are not receiving preventive care guidance.

Mobile applications are also being employed to help clinicians monitor the progress of patients who are following diet and exercise plans.

In addition to benefitting patients, moving the health industry online offers the promise of at least some respite for overworked doctors who are struggling to cope with the demands of an ageing population and chronic problems, such as diabetes, which require ongoing care.

Luke Styles is a reputable freelance writer with a passion for helping others. He is often found writing in his garden studio whilst watching the world go by.