Five Myths About Seeing a Doctor Online
Updated September 2020.
When online banking first started nearly 20 years ago, many people didn’t trust it. Some suggested it wasn’t as secure, while others argued that waiting for their dial-up modem to kick in would take just as long as a quick trip to the ATM. Not anymore. According to a recent Pew Research study, 51 percent of U.S. adults bank online, while 32 percent bank using their mobile phones.
Today, some people may think of telehealth similarly. Here are some common myths about online care debunked.
Doctor visits need to be in person
About half of doctor visits could be done online. Amwell doctors have typically been practicing medicine for 10 to 15 years. Combine their deep experience with the power of video and you start to see why a doctor can effectively diagnose conditions like a sinus infection or pink eye online.
The doctors aren’t real
The doctors on Amwell are licensed, board-certified physicians. They went to medical school, completed residencies, and continue to practice medicine both online and off.
I won’t be able to get a prescription
If the doctor deems it medically appropriate, and it’s legally allowed in your state, the doctors on American Well can always write a prescription. They are real doctors after all.
You can get a prescription for anything
Amwell proactively blocks certain medications that are not appropriate for online encounters, such as controlled substances and lifestyle medications. For those, you’ll still need to make an appointment with your primary care physician.
My information won’t be secure
We respect patient privacy and security here. Amwell is a private, secure, HIPAA-compliant tool that’s built to safely and confidentially consult with a doctor online.