Why Google symptoms when you can consult real doctors during ECQ?
Posted on May 22, 2020 | 2 minute read
The enhanced community quarantine has confined most of us at home, which means plenty of us are probably turning to “Dr. Google” for our health concerns. We are, of course, talking about the practice of Googling symptoms to self-diagnose our pains.
This practice is so common, people even joke that Google will tell us we have cancer once we type in our symptoms. And we totally get it: even before ECQ, going to the doctor feels intimidating and expensive, especially if you don’t have insurance. However, a 2015 study published in the British Medical Journal found that most free clinic sites like WebMD serve the right results first only 34% of the time. We don’t know about you, but we’re not ready to gamble our health on that percentage.
So aside from that low accuracy of symptom-checking sites, why is it important to get advice from real medical professionals?
- Googling symptoms can give us ‘cyberchondria’. It’s the term for the anxiety and stress that’s generated by our health-related Google searches. It’s bad for our mental health and adds unnecessary worry to our lives, especially during these times.
- Most of us don’t have the training to diagnose ourselves. Our two hours of Googling will never match a doctor’s medical expertise. They are professionals because they have spent years investigating all relevant health factors before diagnosis, such as our personal and family history.
- It’s too risky. You can overestimate your symptoms and take the wrong medication, or self-treatment. On the other hand, you can underestimate your symptoms and let a serious ailment worsen.
“But it’s ECQ! We can’t see a medical professional even if we wanted to.”
The good news is that ‘teleconsulting’ is now on the rise. Teleconsulting is a health consultation carried out via voice or video call between a patient and a medical professional. While teleconsulting has been a thing way before ECQ, it is now our best option to maintain our health and avoid cyberchondria as we self-quarantine.
Check out the advantages of teleconsulting over good old Googling:
They are extremely affordable — even free. HealthNow, a medical platform that connects patients to volunteer Filipino doctors through Google Hangouts Meet, currently offers their services for free for a limited period in the spirit of bayanihan. Another medical platform, Konsulta MD, works on a subscription basis. They will connect you to licensed doctors through the Konsulta MD app or hotline for as low as P60-150 per month. Of course, depending on your internet connection or mobile network, voice and video calls may still consume load and data.
They can give you immediate medical attention. Konsulta MD’s skilled doctors are on call 24/7, so you can call directly or or book them in-app. As for HealthNow, you just have to fill out the web form at https://healthnow.ph/ to be connected to the specialist you need. (If it’s not available, select Family Medicine as an alternative.) You will then receive a text message with the schedule and video call link for your consultation.
They offer more than just professional medical advice. Aside from 24/7 clinical advisory, Konsulta MD also offers first aid, primary care, health and wellness counseling, and even ambulance referrals. HealthNow can route your consultation request to your preferred specialization, such as cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, ENT-HNS, OB-GYN, psychiatry, and more. To make you even more comfortable, HealthNow also offers consults not just in English, but in Filipino and Cebuano!
They don’t take as long as in-person consultations. Gone are the days when you had to allocate half a day for doctor appointments. The average Konsulta MD consultation length runs at 12 minutes, which is just the right amount of time to describe your needs to the doctor on the line. Meanwhile, HealthNow’s consultation runs at 15 minutes, depending on the discretion of the licensed physician you are matched with.
They give you peace of mind. Googling your symptoms for hours will only make you feel lost. Save yourself the time and anxiety and consult a real health professional over Konsulta MD or HealthNow. You can also enjoy peace of mind over the health of your entire family. Anyone can make a doctor’s appointment at HealthNow’s website. Konsulta MD, meanwhile, offers subscription plans that can cover up to four additional dependents.
For affordable peace of mind, quit referring to Google and check out Konsulta MD or HealthNow instead! These two medical platforms are your best options in getting fast, affordable, and safe healthcare during the ECQ.
Konsulta MD’s flexible subscription plans start at P60 per month. Aside from the option of subscribing weekly or monthly, you can also pay using GCash, Globe postpaid billing, prepaid load, credit card, and more! To enjoy Konsulta MD’s services, there are three ways to subscribe:
- MOBILE APP. This is the most convenient way to register, since the app keeps your account info such as check-up history and remaining subscription balance all in one place. You can also top up your subscription, schedule calls or video calls, and request e-docs such as prescriptions within the app. Download it now on the App Store or Google Play Store.
- HOTLINE. Call Konsulta MD at 79880 via mobile or (02) 7798 8000 via landline.
Once you’re subscribed, you can get a doctor on the line any time by calling or scheduling a video call on the Konsulta MD app. You can also call their hotline at 79880 via mobile or (02) 7798 8000 via landline. Both options have no waiting times. Learn more at the Konsulta MD website.
HealthNow offers free video consultations for a limited time period. To book your appointment, fill out the form at https://healthnow.ph/ to be connected to the kind of doctor you need for your concern.
