In-person vs. Virtual care: What's the difference & Which is best

Takeaways

• Telehealth has gained significant traction, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, offering benefits such as accessibility, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. However, it faces challenges including quality of care, data privacy, and unequal access, particularly in rural areas with limited internet connectivity.
• While telehealth is suitable for routine follow-ups, minor illnesses, and mental health consultations, in-person care remains crucial for more serious conditions, initial diagnoses, and procedures that require a physical examination or specialized tests.
• Mira offers a healthcare plan that combines both virtual and in-person services, aiming to provide comprehensive care. For an average of $45 per month, subscribers can access various healthcare services, including virtual primary care, discounted prescriptions, and urgent care visits, making it an affordable option for those without traditional health insurance.

Note: we use the terms virtual care and telehealth interchangeably since they refer to the same thing. 

Telehealth vs. In-Person Care

Although telehealth services have been around since the 1950s, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a massive increase in telehealth use. Navigating telehealth services have proved to be a challenging task for some, but offers a number of benefits. In-person care, involving face-to-face interactions, has remained as the traditional method of receiving care and will certainly always be necessary for completing particular appointments. However, implementing high-quality virtual care holds the potential to work better for both patients and physicians alike. Consider the following table that breaks down the pros and cons of in-person versus telehealth care. 

When Should I Use Virtual Care vs. In-person Doctor?

Telehealth refers broadly to electronic and telecommunications technologies and services used to provide care and services at-a-distance. Virtual health care, a smaller component of telehealth, involves one receiving health care services through a virtual visit with one’s provider. Healthcare providers may use telehealth platforms like live video, audio, or instant messaging to address a patient’s concerns and diagnose their condition remotely. (See Mira's article “How Does Telemedicine Work?”). 

According to California Healthline, “telemedicine is effective in cases that would typically send you to an urgent care clinic, such as minor injuries or flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, and sore throat.” The chart below can assist in determining when to use telemedicine vs. in-person health services:

Source: Mira

Type of Medical Specialists Available via Virtual Care vs. In-person

Virtual care has shown versatility, particularly in the realms of primary care, mental health, and follow-up consultations for chronic conditions across multiple specialties like cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology. It is also a convenient platform for minor issues in dermatology, urology, and pediatrics. However, in-person care remains essential for more complex or invasive procedures, initial diagnoses, and specialized tests. For example, surgeries, chemotherapy, and advanced diagnostic tests like echocardiograms, colonoscopies, and allergy testing generally require an in-person visit. The landscape is continuously evolving, and while virtual care offers unparalleled convenience and accessibility, there are inherent limitations that make in-person care indispensable for certain medical needs.

Controversies and Debates Around Virtual Care

Virtual care, despite its many advantages, has stirred up a variety of controversies and concerns. Below are some of the key points of debate:

Quality of Care

One of the most significant concerns about virtual care is whether it can maintain the same standard of care as in-person visits. Critics argue that the absence of a physical exam could lead to misdiagnoses or an oversight of critical symptoms.

Data Privacy

Virtual consultations require the transfer of sensitive medical data over the internet. There are concerns over how this data is stored, who has access to it, and the potential for data breaches.

Inequality in Access

Not everyone has access to the high-speed internet and devices required for virtual care, which can exacerbate existing healthcare inequalities. Rural areas, in particular, may face challenges due to less reliable internet connectivity.

Regulatory and Licensing Barriers

Regulations around telehealth vary by jurisdiction, creating complexity for providers who wish to offer services across state or national lines. Licensing becomes particularly tricky for international telehealth services.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance policies may not universally cover virtual care, or may provide a different level of coverage compared to in-person care, leaving patients with unexpected costs.

Overuse or Misuse

The convenience of virtual care could potentially lead to overuse for minor issues that do not require medical consultation. This overuse could strain healthcare resources and incur unnecessary costs.

Ethical Concerns

Telehealth services sometimes outsource medical consultations to doctors who may not be familiar with the local medical guidelines, culture, or patient population, leading to ethical concerns about the quality and appropriateness of care.

Reliability of Technology

Technical issues like poor video or audio quality, connectivity issues, and software glitches can impede the quality of a virtual consultation, and this unreliability can be a significant barrier to effective care.

Patient-Doctor Relationship

Building a strong patient-doctor relationship is considered a cornerstone of effective healthcare, and there are concerns that the remote nature of virtual care might undermine this relationship.

Telehealth vs. In-Person Care Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Consider this additional information when it comes to utilizing telehealth and in-person health services. 

How do I access telehealth services?

Accessing telehealth services can be done through specific providers or telemedicine hubs that offer their own access to various doctors. Many health insurance plans will reimburse you for telemedicine visits, depending on the state you live in and the service provided. If you do have health insurance the best way to know is to ask the doctor's office directly if they offer telemedicine visits and what their self-pay rates are.

Is Telehealth cheaper than an In-Person visit?

In general, telehealth tends to be less expensive than an in-person office visit, but as mentioned, costs vary between telehealth services and depend on a few factors (eg. insurance coverage, condition/symptoms, and the healthcare provider being seen).

What is the difference between telehealth and telemedicine?

The terms telemedicine and telehealth are often used interchangeably, but technically telemedicine is a subset of telehealth. Telehealth includes non-clinical, as well as clinical care, uses of telecommunications technology such as self-monitoring, patient education, and even medical records management.

How do I establish a good relationship with my physician virtually?

Meeting a new provider can be a daunting task, the majority would not just turn to a stranger on the street and disclose our deepest fears, our digestive issues, or our medication lists. Healthcare is different. Providers are held to high standards for discretion and HIPAA laws ensure this as well, even over virtual visits. It’s best to be honest and open about your physical and mental health so that your provider can obtain a comprehensive understanding of your past and current health state. Just remember that your provider is there to help you and trust is central to the patient-doctor relationship!

I am not that tech-savvy, can I still use telehealth services?

Have you ever used Skype or Facetime? It is virtually the same process for many telehealth appointments! Patients of all ages (even well into their 90s) have used different telehealth services. Doing a virtual doctor's visit can be just as simple as going in. Your provider, or an affiliate, will generally send a link prior to the appointment to help you prepare for the virtual appointment and list a number to call should any issues or technical difficulties arise. 

The Bottom Line

Only you know which method of care is best for you, whether it be exclusively in-person visits, exclusively telehealth, or a combination of the two. The latter is where most people find themselves, as many of the previously mentioned pros and cons could go either way. For example, cultivating a relationship with your physician - some may find it easier to communicate and share information over telehealth options, whereas some may prefer face-to-face interactions. 

Mira aims to provide quality health care at a low price so that you don’t have to make these decisions. If you are unemployed or cannot afford health insurance, Mira is a great affordable healthcare alternative. With Mira, you can receive lab testing, urgent care visits, and up to 80 percent off prescriptions for an average of $45 per month. Sign up today.