Switched has a new home! Huffpost Tech.

Click here to visit the new home of Switched!

Hot on HuffPost Tech:

See More Stories
AOL Tech

Increasingly, Doctors Making 'Computer Calls'

by Evan Shamoon on January 22, 2009 at 01:57 PM

As part of its "New in 09" series, CNN Health explores the growing world of online healthcare. The story recounts how it's possible to log into an account at sites like hellohealth.com, and easily schedule a video chat with a physician.

"Because of the Internet, we bank differently than we used to, and we plan our trips differently, and we buy real estate differently," says Meredith Abreu Ressi, vice president of research for Manhattan Research, a health care marketing research firm. "But we still see our doctor the same way our grandparents did. I think we're about to see big changes in this area."

The practice is being called "telehealth", whereby appointments, advice, and prescriptions are all delivered over the Internet. This can involve video chats, e-mails, and the like. While services like hellohealth.com don't currently accept insurance, and are limited to very particular locations, the idea is spreading quickly. Soon you'll be able to get your doctor to prescribe those uppers and downers from your own sofa! [From: CNN]

Tags: doctor, health, online, telehealth, web

HuffPost AOL Social News Most Popular