Ask a doctor websites are the filling the gap for many people who
are unemployed and have no health insurance. But how safe is it
to put your health in the hands of an internet doctor?
(photo: John Vachon from flickrcommons)
Cheaper than a co-pay, "ask a doctor" websites are seeing explosive growth these days as more and more people without health insurance, and the just plain curious, turn to them for medical advice.
But is it safe to seek answers to your medical questions from an internet doc?
The house call is back, sort of
Sites like justanswer.com and askthemedicalspecialist.com give you access to what the companies' say are verified experts in various fields of medicine.
You ask your question and a doctor gives you a specific answer for a fee ranging from $14 to $34, satisfaction guaranteed or you don't pay.
Some of the most popular questions focus on heart ailments, infertility, swine flu and rashes.
While sites like doctorslounge.com offer medical news, updates and forums where doctors answer questions for free, you generally don't get to ask a specific doctor a specific question.
That's where pay sites like justanswer.com and askthemedicalspecialist.com jump in. They give you access to what the companies' say are verified experts in various fields of medicine.
A totally new way to diagnose your disease or a dangerous trend?
"There are more uninsured and underinsured people looking for ways to talk to a doctor without all the usual expense (direct and indirect- i.e. gas) and hassle," says justanswer CEO Andy Kurtzig. "That and the trend towards researching medical conditions online continues to grow."
"The future of medicine is changing significantly," confirmed askthemed... founder Dr. Lance Cohen, "patients may have to wait longer than they have historically for medical care."
A Disturbing Trend
Dr. Marc Siegel, associate professor at NYU Langone Medical Center and the medical director of Sirius radio's Doctor Radio channel, says "I see these sites as a demonstration of the trend of healthcare in our society. People don't have access to real live doctors."
The doctor cautions we are moving too far away from one on one patient/doctor interaction. "There are too many variables with each individual," he says, "for a stranger to diagnose another stranger over the internet. "
But Dr. Siegel also says asking a doctor for medical advice on the internet (or his own radio show) can be helpful when used as a "gateway" to more information, as long as they are not used as a substitute for actual treatment.
Detailed answers on everything from "left leg going numb" to "surprise pregnancy"
Justanswer, which claims 20 million registered users in 145 countries and 20,000 experts (in categories from law to, health to auto mechanics), says it has seen "100% growth" in its medical category over the last year. Company spokeswoman Aimee Macaitis said 82% of people asking medical questions on the site say they do not have health insurance.
Askthemedicalspecialist which launched 9 months ago is also seeing steady growth since its kick-off, with a more than 50% of questioners identifying themselves as having no health insurance.
Dr. Cohen says the most popular questions on his site these days are about heart disease, infertility and H1N1, swine flu. Justanswer says it is fielding lots of "heart pain, rashes, headaches and blood test results," questions.
If something goes wrong, don't come crying to them
Neither site claims responsibility for what any doctor says on their site.
"Similar to eBay, Justanswer is a platform," says CEO and founder Andy Kurtzig. "It does not create the answers on the site. The experts on the site who answer questions are responsible for their answers."
Dr. Lance says, "we don't diagnose, we don't treat, we don't prescribe. Our service does not constitute a doctor/patient relationship. We only give information."
How "ask a doctor" works
Justanswer has over 100 medical specialists from ob/gyns to urologists and RNs who will answer your question in a kind of information auction.
Ask your question, say how much you are willing to pay ($14, $18 or $34) await expert to reply. Pay only if you are satisfied with the answer. Presumably you will get a better answer for $34 as more people will bid to answer your question.
Askthemed currently has 8 doctors on staff for $19.99 a pop and you get to choose which doc answers your questions. You are even allowed a follow-up question.
These sites draw from doctors all over the U.S. not just New York.
Comments
Have used "Ask the medical specialist" and have found the information to be very helpful and informative. There was no long wait as in a specialists rooms.Had prompt reply and very satisfactory service.I am thrilled that we can have such a sight to get prompt and satisfying information. It is agreat sight keep up the great work.
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