• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Traveling Dad

TravelingMom

Traveling tips, deals, info from moms and families

  • Destinations
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
  • Tips & Products
  • Free Fun
  • About Us
    • Our Writers
    • Ask a Traveling Mom
  • Search

Mobile Menu

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Destinations
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
  • Tips & Products
  • Free Fun
  • About Us
    • Our Writers
    • Ask a Traveling Mom
  • Search
  • Traveling Dad
  • Media Kit
  • Write for TravelingMom
  • TMOM Travel Writers
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Site Admin
Home » Blog » Ask a Traveling Mom » Virtual Healthcare – Does Seeing a Doctor Online Really Work?
Virtual healthcare

Virtual Healthcare – Does Seeing a Doctor Online Really Work?

October 1, 2015 //  by Sue Rodman//  Leave a Comment

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

The promise of getting immediate access to healthcare from the comfort of your own home, or your own hotel room, is really appealing. No need to fight traffic or try to find a doctor in a strange city. No need to wait in a germy office. No need to wait at all. Just pick up you phone or tablet and dial up a doctor. But does a virtual doctor visit really work? This Traveling Mom tested the service from American Well to find out.

Virtual Healthcare from American Well

The strange red blotch on his leg could have been a mosquito bite, scratched into a slight infection. Or perhaps it was one of those flesh eating viruses you hear about where they eventually amputate the limb. In the end, the diagnosis was ringworm; the only medicine needed, an over the counter anti-fungal cream. The end result may be ordinary, but the journey to that diagnosis was quite innovative.

How Amwell Telehealth service works great if a family member gets sick while travelingIf you read TravelingMom regularly, you know American Well or Amwell, has contracted with TravelingMom for a host of promotions including a free first virtual doctor visit using the code TMOM at AmWell’s telemedicine site. Use the code at checkout through Dec. 31, 2015, to get the free first visit with a doctor.

That generous offer was extended to us TravelingMom writers as well. So when I realized I’d need to take my son to the doctor for his red blotchy leg, I thought, “Why not test out Amwell instead?”

A Host of Virtual Healthcare Providers

Had I gone the traditional route to treatment, I would have made an appointment with my pediatrician, taken my son out of school for the appointment, driven the few miles and paid $5 to park in the garage. If I’d been on vacation, it would have been harder. I’d have to find a doctor in network, make an appointment and figure out how to get there from my hotel. Either way, I would have waited in a waiting room that may or may not have been filled with sick kids. In all likelihood, the doctor would have come up with the same diagnosis. But, as happens with increasing frequency, he may have sent us to a specialist to be sure.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

When I looked on the Amwell website, I saw a host of specialties, including a dermatologist. Bingo. Why not take out the middleman and go straight to dermatology?

Virtual Doctor
There are a host of providers available via American Well in a variety of different practice areas.

The Good News

The AmWell website is easy to navigate. I clicked on the top bar for ‘See a Doctor’ and went to the “Our Doctors” page. There you can chose by provider or specialty.

Setting up my Amwell account was free and easy, too. You only pay when you see a doctor (don’t forget the TMOM code to get your first visit free) and the site makes it easy to test your computer and make sure your camera works and everything is set up for your appointment.

Michelle Mohr was the doctor I saw through Amwell. She had a good bio, was exceptionally responsive, very approachable, seemed knowledgeable, and spent well over the 15 minutes allotted for the appointment.

Visiting a Doctor Online
Ewww. I know, but this is the picture I sent to Dr. Mohr so she could see what I described in very technical terms as a red blotchy leg.

She even followed up after the appointment with a message summarizing her instructions and asking that I check back in a week to let her know how it was going.

She was personable with my son and answered both of our questions. She also helped me navigate the Amwell system to register my son – parents must register their children in order for them to have an appointment. That way the doctors can leave notes and write prescriptions for the child. It’s easy to do in the Profile settings, but it took a little bit for me to find that and set it up. Dr. Mohr waited patiently and we chatted while I found the right screen to add him.

Technical Challenges

Any time you introduce something new, there is a learning curve. Amwell’s site is no different. There are Amwell doctors available 24/7, but I have a feeling that’s for general practice vs. specialties.

Dr. Mohr has another job as a researcher, so her availability is different, which she stated in her bio. I also appreciated that she said contact her for an appointment and she’ll get you in within 24/48 hours. Ok. I could wait. But then I couldn’t figure out how to contact her.

It was a weekend, but I called the customer service line anyway – but it never went anywhere. A true test of a company isn’t the problems they have, but how they handle those problems. Amwell was apologetic and quick to remedy the situation; even following up with me afterward to make sure things were resolved. I called again Monday and was set up with an appointment with Dr. Mohr the next day after my son got home from school.

The next day I logged on for my appointment and the screen said “Your appointment has been cancelled.” WHaatt? When?

I contacted customer service again. The rep was very nice even though he could tell I was quite annoyed. As I was asking the Amwell rep why my appointment had been cancelled, I realized there was a message box with two messages. Dr. Mohr had messaged me the night before saying she could not make my appointment time, but gave me four other times – including later that night. Mystery solved on why the appointment was cancelled. I messaged her back with a new appointment time.

Virtual Doctors
Dr. Mohr was personable, helpful and was able to diagnose my son’s problem within a few minutes, and we squeezed the appointment in while water boiled for dinner in the next room.

My Appointment Experience

At the appointment time, Dr. Mohr called my cell phone. I went online, logged into my Amwell account and found her profile. A green strip below her name says “Start Visit.” I clicked that, went through a few set up screens, which included payment. I used the TMOM code with no trouble and my fee was $0.

I was able to send her a picture of my son’s leg, and then show her via the video screen. She assured me he wouldn’t lose a limb today and with the over the counter treatment should be good as new in a week or two.

Would I Do It Again?

I like the idea of telemedicine and virtual doctors. It’s so much easier to pull up a computer than it is to drive across town in traffic, pay to park and wait in a waiting room.

With American Well, we can still enjoy the sites while on vacation instead of searching for a doctor’s office or hanging out in a strange waiting room for the appointment. We weren’t traveling this time, so another bonus was I didn’t have to take my son out of school.

Would I use American Well again? Yes, and have already recommended it to friends.

I think Amwell has a steep learning curve right now, for patients, doctors and just working some of the bugs out of the system, but the more its used it will become second nature. The customer service reps were helpful and patient, as was Dr. Mohr.

First time users to the system will likely need a bit more than the 15-minute appointment time. As I mentioned, in the middle of my appointment, I had to go back and register my son. Not a problem, but it took a little bit to do that. If I had been used to the system, my appointment would have taken 5 minutes – show me his leg. Ask a few questions. Probably ringworm, here’s what you need. Have a great day.

Virtual doctors and telemedicine may not work for every health issue, but it certainly is a great option.

Have you used virtual healthcare? What was your experience? Share with us in the comment section below.

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

Category: Ask a Traveling Mom, ProductsTag: travel tips

You May Also Like

  • s Star Wars virtual reality right for families?
    A Mom's Guide to Star Wars Virtual Reality at Disney World
  • Free Art in the Park: Seeing More than Green
Sue Rodman

About Sue Rodman

Sue Rodman is an Atlanta transplant, the mom of 3 boys and managing editor of 365 Atlanta Family, an award winning family travel blog that covers family travel, outdoor adventure, and date night diversions. Sue has been interviewed on Family Travel in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, The Family Fun, Publix Magazine, and on all three major television networks. She also shares her travel knowledge as a writer for Explore Georgia, and Simply Buckhead Magazine. She has also captured hundreds of trip ideas, inside information about must-see Atlanta attractions and more in her popular book “101+ Free Things to do in Atlanta.”

View Sue's Posts

Previous Post: «Mickey's Halloween Party Villains Square Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland: The Very Best Tips for a Villainous Visit
Next Post: Where to See the Best Fall Colors in the U.S. Fall colors in Colorado, the Peak to Peak Highway near town of Nederland.»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Yes, Sign Me Up Now!

Free Disneyland ebook!

Trending Posts

Walt Disney World Free
2797

How to Score Free Stuff at Disney World to Save Money!

Scanning your MagicBand to access your Fastpass+ selection is simple for even the youngest guest.
1094

Everything You Need to Know About FastPass+ at Disney World

Disney pin trading tips
919

5 Helpful Tips for Pin Trading at Walt Disney World

Explore 7 California National Park Sites within 4 hours of Los Angeles. With redwood trees, tide pools, and deserts, the parks offer nature at its best.
691

7 National Parks a Road Trip Away from LA

The medieval walled city of Dubrovnik, Croatia is a stunning filming location for Game of Thrones.
463

Dubrovnik, Croatia – Beautiful Location of Game of Thrones

  • Media Kit
  • Write for TravelingMom
  • TMOM Travel Writers
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Site Admin

Copyright © 2019 Traveling Mom · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.