Virtual medicine
Two ventures are exploring ways to let doctors conduct video-enabled visits.
The doctor is online
Mark Ahearn, MD, a Houston emergency physician under contract with eCare Group, an independent physician group, completes a patient exam from a studio at NuPhysicia, a telemedicine provider that spun out of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. The array of screens allows the physician to view the patient's record and chief complaint, as well as direct a physical exam. The patient would typically be in a retail clinic, with a physician extender serving as the online physician's hands.
Hawaiian style
American Well is scheduled to launch in Hawaii in January 2009. Under the protocol, a patient would initiate a visit and request a primary care physician, specialist or other medical professional. The physician would then review the patient's medical record and complaint, then decide to see the patient, refer him or her to another online doctor, or direct him/her to a local emergency department.
Variety of e-options
Once a physician and patient have connected through America Well, the actual visit could be handled with a phone call, Web chat or webcam. All encounters are in real time, and a transcript or video of the session is sent to the patient's regular physician.