Connecting Patients and Doctors via Mobile Virtual Visits Shortly after the turn of this century, the implementation of web-based technology began to flourish in private physician’s practices. The revolution of virtual communication allows patients and doctors to connect online without the need for a face-to-face visit. The impact of mobile virtual communication affects the quality of care, quality of life, cost, and access for patients. The creation of a virtual physician visit application produces social, ethical, and economic effects on the Apple Corporation.
Defining a Virtual Physician Visit A virtual physician visit is not a face-to-face consultation. Instead Eads (2007) describes them as a meeting through en e-mail or preferably an Internet-based computer program with chat capability or even web-based cameras. The patient registers on the physician’s website and gives details of his medical record. This includes known allergies, family medical history, pre-existing conditions, previous operations or procedures, current medications, and recent ailments.
The patient requests a virtual consultation in which the doctor, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner meets for a few minutes to discuss the patient’s needs or concerns. Although not all ailments are covered using this medium, many “such as simple urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, or routine follow-up of chronic diseases” (Eads, 2007, p. 20) are included. The medical professional can prescribe medications, offer a treatment plan to overcome the current malady, or provide an educational setting for the patient. The consultation takes but a few minutes of each person’s time and requires no advance scheduling or travel time. The cost usually varies from $25 to $50 and is generally borne completely by the patient although some insurance companies are beginning to cover this service for their policy holders.
The Impact of a Virtual Doctor’s Office Mobile App on Patient’s Healthcare Virtual doctor’s visits effect patients in several ways. These include the quality of care, quality of life, cost of care, and access to the doctor. Traditionally virtual physician conduct consultations using the patient’s home computer or laptop. The introduction of a mobile application used on a phone, tablet, or pad allows the patient to consult with his doctor anywhere an Internet connection is available.
According to a study completed by Demiris, Edison, and Vijaykumar (2005), the quality of care in the telecommunication setting did not vary from the in-office visit. Medical personnel applied empathy and concern for the patient in equal portions in both settings. Because physicians could see their patients while talking to them, non-verbal clues about the client are noted and help the doctor to offer more comprehensive care.
A patient’s quality of life is improved through the use of a mobile app because it allows instant satisfaction from the patient’s point of view. Stress about a medical condition is reduced or eliminated consequently improving a patient’s state of mind and well-being. This application provides a handy resource for parents with sick children and can avoid the need for a doctor’s visit. Harrison, MacFarlane, Murray, and Wallace (2006) noted in their analysis that a patient’s need to arrange for transportation and childcare are purged and the endless waiting in a doctor’s office or hospital diminished. One patient in the study quoted, “I mean you know we sat down at a specified time…the link was direct…there was no delay…no sitting around” (Harrison et al., 2006, p. 85). Through the use of a mobile app, this appointment can take place anywhere the patient desires.
As discussed previously, the cost of virtual doctor’s visits are primarily the responsibility of the patient and range in price from $25 – $50 per visit. The cost of a mobile application for a phone or pad would be very inexpensive – somewhere in the realm of $.99 to $1.99. The application is quickly downloadable from the App Store via iTunes in which established Apple users already have an account. There is no corresponding cost for the physician’s office providing he already participates in teleconferencing healthcare.
Access to a person’s health provider through a mobile application is improved. By introducing the use a mobile application for the patient, the ability to obtain instant healthcare is as near as the closest Internet hot spot. In the busy lives of the populace, minor health questions or concerns and follow-up for a previous condition can be addressed immediately without the need to logon to a personal computer.
Impact of a Mobile Virtual Doctor Visit Application on the Apple Corporation The introduction of a mobile virtual doctor’s visit application will affect the Apple Corporation primarily in an economic respect. There are currently approximately 37 million Apple products in use including iPhones and iPads (Apple Corporation, 2013). Using a conservative estimate based on consumer interest surveys, approximately 10% of customers would consider strongly purchasing this mobile application. The cost of the application including development, implementation, and ongoing monitoring would run $.11 per purchase, thus bringing a profit margin of $.88 – $1.88 per purchase. The overall economic effect could be a profit in the range of $3.2 – $6.9 million. Because Apple would only be the conveyor of an Internet-based instrument, there are no social or ethical obligations that would need to be addressed.
Conclusion The introduction of a mobile virtual physician’s visit application enhances a patient’s ability to achieve instantaneous contact with his doctor regardless of the patient’s location. A mobile application promotes both the quality of care and life of a person at a low cost. The social and ethical effects on the Apple Corporation are minimal while the economic outcomes are positive.