18 Mar Everything You Need to Know About Seeing a 24 Hour Doctor

Fast, affordable and convenient, having an online consultation with a 24 hour doctor is the way of the future. For those who have not yet had a medical consultation via video call, this article will explain everything you need to know about the process.

How seeing a 24 hour doctor works

Having an online appointment with a General Practitioner is easy. Simply download your service provider’s app of choice and register for an account. You will then have to request a consultation using the app and fill out a bit of information about the nature of your request (e.g. whether you need a medical certificate or a pathology request).

You will then be connected to a fully-qualified and registered 24 hour doctor over a video call. You will require a computer, laptop or phone with a camera and microphone in order to do this. The General Practitioner will then have a chat with you about your needs and help you find a solution.

The benefits

There are many benefits to using a 24 hour doctor. These include:

Convenience

The biggest advantage that online consultations have over in-person ones is their convenience. This is due to several factors:

Full availability

When visiting an in-person clinic, making a booking can be a challenge in itself. Short opening hours and a lack of consultation availabilities are an annoyance to many. Thankfully, a 24 hour doctor is always available, even on weekends and at 3 in the morning! This makes them incredibly convenient, as you can get medical assistance as soon as you start feeling ill.

No waiting

One of the biggest complaints people have with medical centres is the extent of time they are left waiting to see a GP. People with busy schedules find waiting frustrating; an online GP abolishes the need to wait and allows patients to access a GP immediately.

Reduced need for travel

Being able to access a 24 hour doctor from the convenience of your own home makes the service a great option for those with mobility issues or those living in rural areas. You no longer have to travel long distances in order to visit your GP.

Improved health

As they are full of dozens of sick people, medical centres can harbour and spread illnesses such as the flu quite easily. By avoiding the medical centre and seeing a GP online instead, people can avoid catching illnesses that they might otherwise get.

Better engagement

Oddly enough, studies have shown that video consultations may lead to greater GP-patient engagement than in-person consultations. Patients often report feeling more connected and listened to after a video call. This may be due to the fact that there are less distractions when using video than in-person.

Services

A 24 hour doctor will generally provide most of the same services that an in-person GP will. These include:

Medical advice

Whether you are concerned about a spot on your foot or want to know why you have a bad cough, an online GP can offer you advice.

Prescriptions

An online GP can provide both new and repeat prescriptions and send them directly to your pharmacy of choice.

Medical certificates

Whether you need a medical certificate for school or work, a 24 hour doctor can write one up for you without you even having to get out of bed.

Referrals

When you have a condition that requires treatment by a specialist, an online GP can get you a referral.

Pathology and radiology requests

If you need a blood test or mammogram, an online GP can give you a referral.