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The internet has embraced every aspect of life, from dating, shopping, learning, to medicine. In 1997 only 20% of physicians used the internet while in 2006 the numbers have grown substantially. The internet has many websites and directories devoted to online medicine as well as locating doctors. Web MD and 1866doctor.com are physicians' directories; while sites like LocateADoc have detailed listings of doctors and other medical professionals.
While all doctors who give medical advice online are not quacks you need to be careful when consulting a doctor online there are many miracle cures and alternative therapies being sold on the World Wide Web to unsuspecting patients. Many cures could be detrimental to health and there are instances when the online doctor turns out to be a person with no medical qualifications at all.
Find a doctor online who is qualified to treat patients and has a good reputation:
1. When you search for a doctor on the net know what qualifications a doctor must have to treat or evaluate your medical condition.
2. Find out on the internet how reliable the website you are using is and whether the site has any cases or complaints filed against it.
3. Ask the doctor for referrals which you must make an effort to check.
4. Create a list of questions to ask the doctor so that you can determine how experienced and qualified the online doctor is.
5. Many leading hospitals have departments of tele medicine and offer online consultations. Consider using such a service instead of an individual doctor.
6. Make sure the doctor you choose is qualified to treat your ailments and is honest about the prognosis and the tests required for diagnosis.
7. Read all you can about online malpractices in the field of medicine.
8. Find out whether the doctor is a member of any recognized medical association or body.
9. Check whether the doctor or his service accept medical insurance. Check by calling your insurance provider.
10. Do a background check on the website you intend to use to consult an online doctor. Check the address, phone number and other details listed on the contact us page.
11. Read the FTC website for warnings about malpractices. Visit their website http://www.ftc.gov/.
While online consultations have many advantages you must also think about whether you need to locate a primary care doctor who has a clinic near where you live. Medicine online has three aspects there are websites that provide reliable medical information online, then there are websites that offer consulting online where e medical doctors answer questions and give consultations on health and there are online pharmacies where one can order prescription medicines at great discounts.
Many websites are knowledgeable about online malpractices and so make all efforts to ensure that information on medicine as well as consultations or doctor information offered by them are reliable and above board. The website makes all efforts to conduct background checks and ensures that the links as well as partners features on their site are qualified and reliable medical practitioners. So use reliable websites to locate a doctor and you will never have to worry whether you made the right choice.
Author Information
Timothy Nellans is a retired Doctor Agent and a writer for Find A Doctor , the premier website to find free search for a doctor, online doctor, medical doctor, doctor ratings, kinds of doctors, free ask a doctor online, types of doctors, family doctor, free doctor advice, how to become a doctor and many more.
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