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Patient Empowerment Blog

By Trisha Torrey, About.com Guide to Patient Empowerment

Want to Talk to a Doctor Online? Forget About It!

Monday January 5, 2009

They're popping up all over the Internet -- websites that provide you with an opportunity to "talk to a real doctor" about your medical problems.

They are called a variety of things: teledoctors, internet doctors, doctor talk. They suggest to us that all we have to do is log on, give them our credit card numbers (clue #1) and then we can talk to a doctor about what ails us.

But how do we know they are really doctors? And how can they diagnose us or treat us without examining us, or having access to our records?

Even a small dose of common sense will begin to suggest how problematic this is. If you'd like a bit more clarification, you can read all about the true cost of "ask a doctor" websites to your wallet and your health.

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Photo © DNY59 / iStockPhoto.com

Comments

January 11, 2009 at 7:11 pm
(1) Char Brooks says:

This is a really brilliant and thorough perspective on why internet doctors just don’t work!!!! I love how many reasons you gave for why it’s not only a rip off but could be hazardous to your physical as well as financial well being.

January 17, 2009 at 10:49 pm
(2) Georg says:

The best internet doctor is your own doctor, who know and examined you. You can use the on line service http://www.housedoc.us. Its easy to use, as well as private and secure. Your doctor needs to register first, but its free, and there is no downside.

October 16, 2009 at 11:12 pm
(3) Angie says:

Hi i have been feeling like this for a week. Nausea, sick, headache, tired, hot at times. What could it be?

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