With so many perks of on-demand, virtual healthcare services, some people say they’ll never step foot in a doctor’s office again. Others wonder if it’s worth the hype.

Is virtual urgent care as helpful as in-person urgent care? Let’s find out.

What is Virtual Urgent Care?

Essentially, virtual urgent care is a form of telemedicine designed to eliminate unnecessary ER trips. It works by connecting a patient to a medical professional using a protected third-party system.

Videoconferencing with patients is done using smart technology solutions so that conversations remain confidential. Common reasons for appointments include migraines, rashes, bladder infections, and digestive upsets.

The Benefits of Virtual Urgent Care

Virtual urgent care allows patients to:

• reduce healthcare costs
• gain back time typically spent on transportation and in waiting rooms
• address concerns through messaging

The ability to communicate on-demand with providers supplies patients with a sense of control over their healthcare, giving them courage to advocate for themselves. Some virtual urgent care centers are open 24-hours, adding to the convenience.

Virtual Urgent Care Downsides

Virtual urgent care lacks care continuity, as patients connect with providers that do not have their earlier records. As a result, understanding patient history takes time.

Mastering IT responsibilities requires training, which may hinder staff workflow and, subsequently, patient care.

Moreover, virtual care visits cannot provide hands-on examinations or lab testing.

The Big Picture

The traditional office visit is structured to keep appointments moving quickly. Being a bundle of nerves at a doctor’s appointment can cause a patient to forget some of the reasons why they came in, causing them to miss out on care they need.

This sense of urgency to rush through in-person visits is a frequent patient complaint, suggesting that in-person visits make it difficult for providers to gain an accurate understanding of patient needs.

These concerns are nonexistent with telemedicine as patients have a dedicated window reserved just for them. Many patients feel more comfortable speaking to their providers from home, as this distance delivers the safe space needed to discuss concerns.

Is virtual care as helpful as in-person urgent care? Well, with the exceptions of chronic conditions and medical emergencies, urgent virtual care is hard to beat.

If you value uninterrupted one-on-one time with your doctor, then yes, virtual appointments are at least as beneficial as in-person urgent care visits.

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September 6, 2021