Yes, Having On-Demand Virtual Care Really Is Helpful

Life can be unpredictable. You never know when you might suddenly have a nasty sore throat, feel the unmistakable gurgle of the stomach flu, or worse, have a kid who emerges from their bedroom in the morning with a crusty, pink eye of terror (gross).

It used to be that, in those situations, you had to call your doctor’s office and cross your fingers for a cancellation, or wait for hours to be seen at an urgent care clinic. But that’s not the case anymore. Healthcare has entered the digital age and there are now a wide variety of virtual options to see a doctor, from apps to on-demand video visits, which can help you get quick, convenient care from the comfort of your own home. But it’s important to know whom to trust, when to use it and when it’s important to be seen in person.

Why virtual care is so popular right now

Though it has existed for some time, virtual care really exploded during the pandemic when visiting a doctor in person wasn’t always safe. It’s now grown to encompass video checkups with your primary care doctor, online e-visits and virtual consultations. Though not really virtual care, many people are even turning to AI chatbots when they’re desperate, which can be a helpful tool for researching symptoms or finding a primary care doctor, but is not a great option for actual health advice because you really can’t trust the medical information you’re getting.

On-demand video visits have seen some of the most explosive growth in recent years. It’s no secret why: not only are folks busy, but their healthcare team is, too. On-demand video visits allow you to connect with the first available human primary care doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner during a time when getting into the doctor’s office isn’t an easy feat amid a shortage of primary care doctors and daunting lines at urgent care clinics. Getting on a video call from the comfort of your home is likely much easier, especially when you’re not even sure if you need to be seen in person. And the hours are often more convenient, too.  

For example, UW Medicine’s Virtual Primary Care clinic offers on-demand video visits seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“This allows people to access medical care after work hours in a timely manner,” says Natalia Luera, clinical medical director of Virtual Primary Care at UW Medicine. “Most patients wait less than 30 minutes to see a healthcare provider.”

How on-demand virtual care works

It’s important to remember that not all on-demand virtual care is equally trustworthy. Everyone has gotten in the game, from major health systems to big tech companies to startups and individuals prescribing unproven treatments. When you make your appointment, make sure you’re being seen by a licensed clinician and that the platform is HIPAA-compliant. And you should be wary of any place that “guarantees” a prescription, since that’s something that legitimate telehealth companies wouldn’t promise up front.

The most reliable options are often the ones provided by established health systems. You often don’t even have to be a patient to use their on-demand virtual care options. UW Medicine doesn’t require you to be an existing patient to start an on-demand video visit (and you’ll even get help scheduling a new patient visit with a new primary care provider, if you’d like one). If you are a patient, though, you get the added benefit of connecting your visit to your existing medical record.  

Every kind of on-demand virtual care is going to be slightly different, but at UW Medicine, all you have to do is:

1. Start an on-demand visit on the UW Medicine website or in MyChart (or through the MyChart app if you have it on your phone)

2. "Get in line” to see a clinician

3. Talk to them about your issues

4. The end. You did it!

If your issues require further evaluation or an in-person visit, the virtual healthcare team will help you set up an appointment or schedule a lab test.

In fact, a great way to use an on-demand video visit is if you’re not sure whether you need to be seen in-person and want an expert’s opinion (not ChatGPT) about whether that urgent care wait would be worthwhile.  

Important note: Most insurance companies cover virtual care visits, but you should check with your specific insurance to verify your virtual care benefits

What kinds of issues can you be seen for?

You might be wondering what exactly you can talk to your healthcare team about during an on-demand video visit. The answer — lots of things. Just some of them include:

• Upper respiratory symptoms
• Sore throat
• Stomach flu
• Allergies
• Pink eye
• Burn or rash
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• COVID-19
• Headache
• Erectile dysfunction
• Motion sickness prevention
• Help with quitting tobacco
• Nutrition support
• Age-related health screenings (such as cancer screenings like breast and colorectal) and questions about your health risk
• Chronic disease management

“Virtual primary care providers are even able to help you manage high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety and depression,” says Luera.

There are obviously some situations where virtual care is not going to be the best fit for your needs.  

“Virtual care can be a great resource for many conditions, but it is limited for certain situations,” says Luera. “Virtual care usually doesn’t provide visits for L&I, motor vehicle accidents or travel medicine, and if a patient is significantly ill, an in-person visit in the urgent care or emergency department may be recommended.”

Also, you should definitely be seen in person if you’re experiencing difficulty breathing or severe chest pain, since that’s an emergency. This symptom-based guide can be useful if you need more help figuring out the kind of help you may need for the health concern you’re experiencing.

Final thoughts

Overall, it makes sense that on-demand virtual care is having a moment because of its convenience, accessibility and the peace of mind it can offer. While it’s important to know whom to trust and when it can be helpful, it might be something to consider next time you start feeling that questionable tickle in your throat.