These days, you have more options than ever for a medical consultation. You can have an in-person GP consultation or you can look for an online doctor consultation and clinical services. There are pros and cons to each, so it really depends on the situation as to whether one option is better than another. 


More and more people are using online services now. We’ve become accustomed to working and living online, with the help of apps that make it possible to accomplish a lot. You don’t even need to step outside your home to do many things that we once assumed were outdoor activities. Now you can even carry on with a GP consultation from the comfort of your own home. 


Pros and Cons of a Walk-In Clinic

Walk-in clinics give you the option of seeing a doctor face to face, but there are good and bad things about this. If you are suffering from something not easily dealt with online, then this is a good alternative, but let’s look at the pros and cons. 


Pros

The positives of seeing a doctor in person include:


● Easier testing: The doctor can conduct tests and touch you to check your health. 

● You may be more comfortable in person: Some people just like to talk to another person face to face and this may be more comfortable for them, rather than using an app. 

● Injuries may be treated: Sometimes you need more than a diagnosis. A doctor is needed to fix a broken arm or to provide stitches, for example. 

● Visual evidence: A doctor may be able to see plenty through the app, but sometimes it’s necessary to see the issue up close and in real life. 


Cons

Of course, there is the opposite side of the coin, too. Here are some of the cons of going to see a doctor in person.

● There’s traffic: Getting to the clinic is often an issue. You may need to take public transportation and even if you don’t, it can be difficult to manage the traffic just to arrive.

● You have to take kids: Are you seeing the doctor but can’t leave your children behind? Then you’ll need to bring them with you to the clinic, which can be challenging, too. 

● You’re exposed: Waiting rooms are full of germs and bacteria, so it can be anxiety inducing to sit there and have people coughing around you. If you’re worried you could become ill from being around others, you may wish to stay home. 

● You’ll have to wait: Doctors are almost always running behind for assorted reasons, but it’s nearly guaranteed that you’ll be waiting for a while if you go to the clinic. 


As you can see, there are good points and bad points to consider when deciding how you will talk to the doctor. 


Pros and Cons of an Online GP Consultation

Seeing a doctor in person is not always the best option. There are definitely some good reasons to stay home, so let’s consider the pros and cons of online consultation.

Pros

The highlights of seeing a doctor online include:


● No wait time: You’ll be seen rapidly and that can be a relief to ease your mind if you’re not sure what is going on. 

● Stay home: There’s something to be said for the ability to stay home and see the doctor in your pyjamas if you like. 

● Improved safety: With the pandemic still dragging on, it’s not always a good idea to go out and sit in a crowded waiting room. Telehealth appointments allow you to see a doctor without exposing yourself or your children to anything else.

● Follow up care is easier: If you’ve had surgery or another procedure and need follow up care, but don’t wish to go to the clinic, you may find it easier to make use of telehealth.

● Save time: Not only do you save time by not commuting to the doctor’s office, but you’ll also save time sitting around in a waiting room at the hospital or clinic while you wait to be seen.

● Get medical care more often: If you are one of those people who avoids seeing the doctor, it may be easier to see them online. This helps ensure you get proper medical care when you need it. 

● Even rural living allows access to medical care: You can talk to a doctor easily, no matter where you are, as long as you have internet access. 


Cons

Of course, there are some downsides to this method of getting clinical services. For example:


● Online security: Any time you are online, there’s the possibility of hackers. They may be able to steal your healthcare information. This is a big concern and one that healthcare companies are working to find a solution to.

● You won’t know the doctor: This can be a concern to some people, as you never know which doctor will be available to help you. It also means you’ll be going over your medical history each time. 

● Not everything can be diagnosed: Sometimes, your doctor just needs to see you in person in order to determine what is going on. You may also need tests that need to be conducted in person.


Which Option is Best?


It really depends on your situation as to what is best for you. Look at the pros and cons for each and make your decision based on that. However, there are certainly some situations when you need to see the doctor in person and should either go to the walk-in clinic or to urgent care. 


You need to see a doctor in person if you have:

- A possible broken bone

- A head injury

- An infection in your ear or throat

- Issues with your eyes

- A high temperature

- Stomach pain

- A burn or scald

- A skin infection

- A sprained joint

- Vomiting and diarrhoea


In each of these cases, it’s best to seek the care of a doctor, as they will need to check you over and take a closer look. These situations are not meant to be handled online and will benefit from the testing abilities of a clinic. 


Most of the time, it will be quite obvious what requires external help from a person with medical experience. Bleeding, breaks, and other similar types of injuries will obviously need a doctor and cannot be seen online. However, if you’re not feeling well, or if your baby is having trouble with congestion, it’s simpler to talk to an online doctor. 


What to Expect from an Online Doctor Consultation 


You’ll first make your appointment online and should test your audio and video on the computer before the appointment. Usually, you’ll be able to see a doctor fairly quickly. 

To prepare for the appointment, check your email. It will have instructions and you’ll need to fill out a form to let the doctor know what your problem is and what your symptoms are. You should write out a list of your symptoms and the frequency to have on hand while talking to the doctor. 


You may be asked to weigh yourself or to take photos of the affected areas of your body to send to the doctor. Since they cannot see you or do exams, you’ll be required to provide the necessary information. This can be a little more difficult than visiting the doctor face to face, but it is usually easy enough to accomplish. 


Most telehealth meetings don’t last a long time and will be to the point. The doctor will discuss your health issues with you and will either diagnose you or send you for more tests. In most cases, with simple issues, the doctor is able to determine what is wrong and give you a prescription or provide you with some advice on how to manage the illness or injury. 


At the end of the call, you can ask any questions you may have and then sign off. There are so many benefits to being able to talk to a doctor remotely. For most people, it’s the preferred method of seeing a doctor these days.


With NHS appointment booking, you can easily set up your next online doctor consultation and have your appointment in the comfort of your own home. There are plenty of choices for you, but online is a good way to start. Book your appointment today.

How to Tell if You Have Diabetes

by Jahan Mahmoodi • 28 September 2022
Diabetes isn’t an uncommon illness, but it can be serious and result in your having to change your lifestyle. There are two different kinds of diabetes, and the main difference between them is that type 1 is genetic, whereas type 2 diabetes can be down to your lifestyle and will develop over time, rather than showing up in an earlier stage of your life. It is important to know what the symptoms of diabetes are so that you can address the problem sooner rather than later, so below are some of the key things to look out for and when you should see a doctor. What are the Symptoms? If you want to know how to tell if you have diabetes, these are common indicators that you might have developed this problem. The need to urinate frequently, or feeling thirsty and/or hungry a lot. You might also notice that you experience extreme fatigue, weight loss, tingling sensation, or pain in your hands and feet. Cuts and bruises might also take longer to heal than they have done in the past. Some people might also experience blurred vision or find that they are getting thrush in the genital area repeatedly. You may want to refer to a self help service to check symptoms if you are concerned. What Should You Do? If you are concerned that you have diabetes, the first thing to do is make an appointment with your doctor. They can arrange a blood test to check your blood sugar levels, as this can be a great indicator of whether or not you have diabetes and can be one of the first warning signs. High blood sugar can be treated with lifestyle changes, and you may need to take insulin at times too. Your doctor can talk you through how to manage your diabetes more effectively, or look at NHS GP for more information. They may even refer you to specialist centers for disease control for further support and guidance. Who is at a Higher Risk? If you do have a history of type 1 diabetes in your family, then you are more likely to develop this condition, too. However, for type 2 diabetes, those at a higher risk include people who have a diet that is high in fats and sugars and are overweight. Your risk also increases the older you get, with a lot of people developing this when they are over 40. This is why it is important to monitor high levels of blood sugar and get this tested if you are concerned. Lifestyle Changes for Diabetics If you do have type 2 diabetes, there are some things you can do at home to help this. The first step is to look at moving to a healthier lifestyle and eating a more balanced diet with reduced sugar. Remember to be careful with carbs, too, as these can turn into sugar in your body. You might also want to think about getting more exercise to help you lose weight which can be beneficial.  If you are worried about whether or not you have developed diabetes, contact your doctor as soon as possible to take the necessary tests.

What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?

by Jahan Mahmoodi • 25 August 2022
What is PTSD? Learn about the symptoms of PTSD and what to do if you think you or a loved one has this psychiatric disorder. PTSD, which stands for post-traumatic stress disorder, is a psychiatric disorder that occurs after a traumatic event or prolonged trauma over time. Historically, it became known as “shell shock”, which many soldiers experienced after combat in the world wars. However, any kind of trauma can lead to this disorder, such as: Accidents Assault Abuse Illness or injury (either yourself or a loved one) The death of a loved one Going through these experiences does not being you will definitely experience PTSD. A traumatic event or prolonged trauma might trigger the disorder in one person and not another, and it has not been determined exactly why. One suggestion is that those suffering from PTSD have high-stress hormone levels, though this isn’t always the case. If you think you or a loved one might have PTSD, it’s crucial to understand the symptoms and seek medical help to process the memories and reduce symptoms over time. Below are the most common symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder PTSD. Flashbacks of Trauma After experiencing a traumatic event, many people feel sad, scared, and anxious, and these symptoms tend to improve naturally over a few weeks. In people with PTSD, these symptoms last far longer and can produce one of the most common symptoms associated with post traumatic stress disorder: flashbacks. Flashbacks make a person with PTSD experience the traumatic event over and over again in their mind. Often, the flashback is very vivid and causes high levels of panic and anxiety, and can even become debilitating in severe cases. Frequent Nightmares People with PTSD usually experience frequent nightmares, often of the traumatic event or events that they have been through. These nightmares cause elevated stress levels and can lead to further issues, like sleeping difficulties and insomnia. Extreme Anxiety Anxiety is a symptom of multiple mental health issues, including PTSD. After experiencing trauma, a person with PTSD will often feel extreme anxiety in their day-to-day life. They Avoidance It is common for people living with PTSD to avoid anything associated with the traumatic event they experienced, which often includes people, places or activities. It is common for sufferers to even withdraw from their friends and family. Over time, this can make their symptoms even worse as they continue to isolate themselves. Intrusive Thoughts Intrusive thoughts involve upsetting and confusing thoughts that those with PTSD wish would disappear. Typically, these thoughts lead to feelings of guilt and upset. Without treatment, these intrusive thoughts are difficult to manage and might worsen over time in some cases. Irritability or Anger Many people with PTSD become irritable or angry, which can lead to reckless behaviour. This behaviour might cause them to damage their relationships. Extreme anger may also be a sign of complex PTSD, which is caused by long-term trauma rather than a single event. PTSD in Children Children can get PTSD just like adults. The symptoms may look different, though. If you suspect your child has PTSD, here are the signs to look out for: Reliving the traumatic event Angry outbursts Nightmares Fear and/or sadness Seek Help for PTSD When experiencing symptoms like this, it’s important to see mental health specialists in order to determine the cause. Then, these mental health professionals can provide appropriate treatment to help the patient manage and improve their symptoms over time, whether through therapy or medication, or a combination of both. If you think you or your loved one is experiencing PTSD, book an appointment with your NHS GP as soon as possible. Help is available, and nobody has to carry on suffering with their symptoms.

How to Improve Student Mental Health

by Jahan Mahmoodi • 18 August 2022
Student life can be rough. If you feel as though your mental health is beginning to suffer as a result, here are some tips that may be able to help.