The World Wide Web will offer a new type of doctor for health care consumers. Virtual doctors can now offer free advice and even provide recommendations on where to go to get treatment.
FreeMD.com’s free medical service was created by Dr. Stephen Schueler (an emergency room physician). “This is a revolutionary step because it goes beyond current health sites that only provide symptom information. FreeMD analyzes symptoms and then tells consumers when and where to seek care,” Schueler says.
Virtual Dr. Schueler is available online to greet users just like a real doctor. The computer program analyzes symptoms and gives advice using Schueler’s voice and image. He advises them whether they should visit an emergency room, an urgent medical center, or a doctor’s office. Or how to manage their symptoms at home.
“For the first time, anyone, from mothers to caregivers, faced with what to do about symptoms or injuries can save precious time and money about what may be wrong,” Schueler said.
FreeMD was created by a group of board-certified emergency physicians. “Even though consumers appear to be interviewed by one doctor, they are essentially being interviewed by the collective efforts of many,”Schueler.
FreeMD technology has been used for 10 years by the Veterans Health Administration to provide the best care to millions of veterans. The site analyzes more that 3,000 symptoms and injury in infants, children, and adults.
“We have created a life-like experience that provides personalized recommendations,” Schueler said. “While the technology is based on standard medical practice, it isn’t a substitute for an examination in person by a practitioner.”
The site allows users to print out a copy and bring it with them when they visit a doctor. This site also features an image-rich medical reference with more than 10,000 topics.
“Patients who use e-mail to communicate with their doctor when they have symptoms have a delay in care until the doctor responds,”Schueler. “Using FreeMD, consumers can get an immediate answer on what to do rather than waiting for a return e-mail from their doctor.”
“By making this available to the public, we can direct patients to a doctor at the right time and to the right place,”He stated. “To a consumer, this means not having to be redirected to the right place for treatment, which wastes the patient’s time and money.”
