The increased usage of internet-enabled mobile devices is changing the way that we communicate. One of the most cutting edge and dynamic niches within mobile communications is health care. Today individuals don’t need to sit for hours in a medical waiting room or wait days for an appointment with their family doctor. Now individuals can simply “tap” themselves into a virtual doctor’s office.

A Preferred Way for Consultations

In May 2014, MDLive conducted a study that revealed how welcomed virtual doctors are.

• 82% of individuals aged 18 to 34 would prefer consulting with a doctor through their mobile device than attend an appointment
• 27% of patients would be willing to give up shopping for one month, skip their next vacation and even refrain from bathing for a week if it meant being able to speak to a health care professional through their phone

Virtual doctors and health care consultations are becoming the ideal solution for our overburdened health care system. But how good are these virtual doctors? Is this the style of treatment that’s right for you and your symptoms?

Not For All Symptoms and Treatments

Virtual doctors do come with a set of limitations. These e-visits are ideal for handling a number of common and non-emergency situations, such as:

• Colds
• Flues
• Stomach pains
• Allergies and rashes
• Sports injuries

What virtual doctors are not helpful for are potentially life-threatening issues, including:

• Breathing problems
• Chest pains
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Broken bones
• Seizures

Given their inability to perform a physical examination, they are also not able to conduct annual check-ups and shouldn’t be used to manage chronic illness.

Can Virtual Doctors Prescribe Medications?

At this time, federal law prohibits virtual doctors from prescribing any controlled substances such as stimulants and opioid painkillers. Other companies won’t prescribe “lifestyle” drugs such as Viagra or other drugs like anti-depressants.

What a virtual doctor can prescribe includes:

• Antibiotics
• Antihistamines
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Topical medications

Is a Virtual Doctor Right for Me?

Being unable to perform a physical examination and not having a patient’s medical history do raise some important questions concerning the validity of an e-visit. Many professionals are concerned that virtual doctors may miss more serious underlying conditions by not being able to see a patient in person. Because of this, a virtual doctor may be best for those of already good to excellent health, have no chronic issues, and whose symptoms indicate a mild illness or irritation.