The Virtual Meeting Coach

Cindy Schulson January 12th, 2009 at 8:25 pm

I remember seeing this story on CNN (I believe). While it's a great idea in theory, I am not sure if I would be comfortable with this type of health care for my family. I'm sure there are situations where it would work (as you point out in your article), but when I visit the doctor, I want him/her to take a more holistic view of my health. Perhaps she will notice something I wouldn't think to ask about, such as a swelling or tumor. That being said, if it encourages people to seek medical advice more than they would if they had to pay an actual visit to the doctor, then that is a big plus. As to your question about what skills you need to make the most of this technology, I imagine it would be helpful to have good communication skills (on both sides). It's very possible to develop a virtual relationship with people (I've made some great friends through social marketing sites), so that should not be a problem. Thanks for sharing!

Meri Walker January 12th, 2009 at 10:01 pm

Yes, Cindy, we've all probably got quite a ways to go before we'll be comfortable with remote physician visits for many things. We'll need to get a lot more conscious of the ways we communicate. And so will physicians! Personally, I hold the most hope for “well-care” or “maintenance” style visits, especially for people with chronic conditions who need monitoring, but really don't need to be going into the office all the time. It would actually make a lot of sense for me and my doctor to handle the review of my quarterly blood work with a virtual visit, for instance. She's not really examining me during these visits, just talking about the test results and asking questions about my daily experiences.

I have type 2 diabetes. As it is, I have to drive 25 miles and back to get blood drawn, then do the same round trip again to get the test results, four times a year. This is really wasteful in terms of time, fuel, and money. With a remote visit, I could just get the blood drawn locally, have the results sent to my doctor, and have the test result visit via the internet . Everyone would save precious time, money and fuel and reduce our carbon emissions!

Think of the savings of time, money and fuel if the millions of us who need this “chronic” care could have an option like that! And that's just for type 2 diabetics.

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chiropractic coaching May 21st, 2009 at 11:11 am

There are certain conditions that should be treated in the hospital, especially those that require a very sanitized environment and crucial cases. But I won't mind having other medical care in the comfort of my own home, like meager cases, and practices such as chiropractic therapy and the likes.

Meri Walker May 21st, 2009 at 4:06 pm

Yes, there are all kinds of things that we still need to be seen in doctors' offices and hospitals and the like. But many of the alternative treatments can be done in other locations. Beyond this, a lot of health coaching is already being done online. Including coaching done by doctors who are treating people for chronic conditions. It's just common sense for us to make better use of electronic communication instead of driving and flying all over the place, especially when we're monitoring chronic conditions or working with mind-body interventions. Thanks so much for taking time to comment!

Do you have other questions or issues related to online medical care?

Eastwood May 26th, 2009 at 4:25 am

Whats wrong in that..Hope it could be a good news..If we can go online or phone into a system to select the type of physician we need and then select from a list of available specialists. Here i don't thnk this is a bad one and all the hospitals are carrying the same system..so it cannot be a wrong or anythign else bad like some body's thinking..
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Meri Walker May 26th, 2009 at 3:18 pm

Yes, Eastwood, it's pretty darn exciting. Of course there are instances when it won't be appropriate to use the new virtual meeting rooms. But there are so many ways to use them to support people with chronic illness and save everyone money. Wondering how you found this blog and what your interests are related to online medicine.

Animal Osteopathy May 28th, 2009 at 5:19 am

I am glad we don't do much of those anymore. …. when we can excuse the other characters for not knowing what to do to help. …..

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You are right about it, I have used it to say that!

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We cant escape the fact that even how preventive we are we can still have such illness. That's why sometimes we cant prevent on being confine to hospitals

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It is always best if we go to the hospital.. They have the tools and facilities the doctor need.. But of course, not all treatment can give by the hospitals…

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The Virtual Meeting Coach June 29th, 2009 at 9:36 am

It's true. In my lifetime, the kind of personal treatment families had come to expect from their physicians has evaporated into HMO systems. It's going to be very interesting seeing how these systems – or new ones created by the federal government – begin encouraging personal relationship instead of trying to limit it as a way to save money. Virtual meetings can either enhance – or further distance – our personal relationships with our doctors. Much depends on how creatively and authentically both parties use the different tools available in virtual meeting rooms, doesn't it?

The Virtual Meeting Coach June 29th, 2009 at 2:36 pm

It's true. In my lifetime, the kind of personal treatment families had come to expect from their physicians has evaporated into HMO systems. It's going to be very interesting seeing how these systems – or new ones created by the federal government – begin encouraging personal relationship instead of trying to limit it as a way to save money. Virtual meetings can either enhance – or further distance – our personal relationships with our doctors. Much depends on how creatively and authentically both parties use the different tools available in virtual meeting rooms, doesn't it?

The Virtual Meeting Coach June 29th, 2009 at 2:36 pm

It's true. In my lifetime, the kind of personal treatment families had come to expect from their physicians has evaporated into HMO systems. It's going to be very interesting seeing how these systems – or new ones created by the federal government – begin encouraging personal relationship instead of trying to limit it as a way to save money. Virtual meetings can either enhance – or further distance – our personal relationships with our doctors. Much depends on how creatively and authentically both parties use the different tools available in virtual meeting rooms, doesn't it?