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Virtual doctor appointments on the rise

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    Debate over convenient alternative to visits

  • Duration 3:59
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Well a new way to see a doctor -- never even have to leave home to do it more and more people trying out virtual.

Doctor's appointment in fact John can be online right now trying it out over on the other sad.

It's easy it's affordable and it raises questions though about how well doctors can actually treat you this way.

And if they can really prescribe things appropriately for you when you're sick.

I joining me now is doctor mark -- he's chief medical officer of op -- And doctor Eric -- -- -- here with our Fox News medical eighteen -- welcome to you both gonna talk to you doctor in the -- first and then doctor Segal I'd actually may you run this program called mine now clinic dot com.

Just tell us a little bit about how works.

My -- now -- dot com is an online web site.

And you as a consumer have access -- that you go to the web -- on you log in you pay with credit or debit card.

And you have the choice of physicians who are available and on the network.

It's live and available in 22 states today.

And the physician will then I see you through -- web cam or you have the option talking them on the phone or using online chat if you don't have a webcam.

And they'll take -- history and if appropriate it though they can prescribe.

Medications or they can give you health care advice.

When he for a 73 under 65 days a year the price is around 45 dollars more or less than -- say on average for this service do you have any concern that.

Notices -- some limitations of what you can three online -- over the phone.

I think there certainly are some limitations and you know this is solution for people with routine not medical problems it's not for everyone we.

We think people need to have a regular relationship with the primary care provider.

But many people have trouble accessing that so people in rural communities one of our biggest users actually people -- work.

And so they don't have to leave the office they can actually get -- get.

Get advice or get treated if appropriate and it's just a great option for phone -- Very interesting -- a -- a lot of people can relate to being as some of -- -- but they can't get to the doctors.

I doctor Renee thank you very much be appreciated doctor Siegel what do you think about this it's.

Seems very convenient and for some basic basic things like a cold or something like that you think this is good option.

I think I think you are very serious reservations about it personable.

The American Academy of Family Physicians has a problem with the idea of seeing a doctor -- were not even seeing a doctor -- It directly with a -- you've never seen before that's problem number one I think most medicine -- one on one in person.

There's a lot I can tell by I'm when I'm actually seeing in examining a patient it's the art of medicine over the computer over the phone -- what what we've moved way too much in that direction.

-- the other thing is these are doctors who don't know you know I can sometimes treat one of my patients over the phone or by email if I know them by -- their home medical history.

But brand new.

Very bad idea and a lot of medical boards are against this in Texas you can't do it.

The reason that that that company is only in 22 states several states actually -- this and one last thing.

Antibiotics are often overprescribed.

You know that I looked this up with what they're actually treating a lot of the time or bladder infection sinus infections upper respiratory infections.

But you know a study just came out in the journal of the American Medical Association that show that -- over treating sinus infections.

Dramatically 95% of the time it's a virus and that -- plug into a doctor he gives you an antibiotic you go home but you don't really need to.

That face to face so the bigger say for certain at a certain part of the community though this could potentially.

Be helpful though right here in a rural community can't get to the doctor and -- you have a bad sinus infection and maybe can be treated -- about thirty seconds here but you think there's there's some way to improve it may be in your mind.

No I'm sorry to give -- -- Even in the rural community I like going you know getting out your truck going to that clinic.

Meaning that doctor the first time establishing a relationship and then maybe go to -- over the I don't know I'm against it.

It's very interesting idea though I'm curious -- our viewers think they can email us at happening happening now foxnews.com doctor -- thank you for your expertise and thank you to doctor -- as well.

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