[raspberrytorte]

Would it bother you if you had a skype doctor?

As in a doctor where you went to appointments and talked to them via video chat instead of actually talking or meeting them in person?

With my new psychiatrist I'm only communicating with her that way. Like I'm never going to be meeting this woman in person. I was just wondering if this would bother anyone else.

[Moose72]

Yes it would . I hate Skype.

[raspberrytorte]

I feel like these appointments should be discounted if I'm just talking to this person through a TV screen.

[raspberrytorte]

I mean... couldn't I just do this at home?!

My doctors office just started doing this. I have the option of a phone, video or in person appointment. I've done the phone appointment when I've been sick or too anxious to make the 30 minute drive. It's a little awkward but better than missing my appointment and waiting more than a month to be seen. I will consider the video appointment option in the future if my agoraphobia is too severe to realistically make it in person....it's certainly better than nothing in my case. The difference is, I've met my doctor in person....I have no idea how I'd feel if I'd never met him. That would probably be a much different story.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I wouldn't like that. When my therapist thought he was moving away we discussed trying therapy via Skype and in that situation I was ok with it because we had a real relationship and I knew he would already know my body language and everything so that it was comfortable. But a stranger via Skype? No. And you have to go somewhere to do that? Even weirder.

[scatterbrained04]

My pdoc currently lives part-time in 2 different states. So I do some appointments in person and some appointments over the phone. I have the option for video also. Both ways have advantages/disadvantages for me.

From what I understood from my pdoc, I'm not sure Skype itself is HIPAA compliant? FYI. Something to check out. I could be wrong.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I know Skype is legal for therapy in my state. But I seem to remember my therapist telling me that this was a new rule when we were discussing doing it.

[OctobersBlackRose]

Yes it would bother me, cause I like in person appointments, it's eaiser and less anxiety inducing for me than it would be talking to someone via a computer screen. Also imo, I'd have a better connection to the psych meeting in person, even if only for 15-20mins.

[Bigmike727]

It really wouldn't really bother me. I've done phone consultations and in-person and found both effective, but I prefer in-person. I find that in-person I can relate a bit better and the privacy factor is better aswell. My phone consultations were always brief and I never got to get all the things I wanted to get off my chest, but they were effective. Never done Skype though, so idk how it would work for me.

that would bother me i would not be comfortable at all i would feel like they were lying to me all the time.

For me, it totally depends.

I'd probably be okay with a Skype doctor *if and only if* I was stable for a loooong time. Like, we're talking about 1 year of stability.

Since that would probably never happen to me, I don't want a Skype doctor. I don't like the idea.

[Anxiousvalkyrie]

It would bother me. I like to be in a room with a doctor so I know I have their undivided attention. Plus I hate talking on the phone with a passion. Skype is only slightly better.

[jpb4815]

I would do fine via skype, so much of my life I am in a web ex or a skype meeting I have had it become the norm. That's just me though, I am an open book I think I am off putting because of this.

I don't skype. Not my thing.

[raspberrytorte]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I hate video chatting. It's always so awkward for me. It's even awkward with my husband, and I've known him for fourteen years. So doing it with a doctor is one million times more awkward. I'm already anxious. That just makes it worse. I wish I could find a different one, but unfortunately I live in a very rural area now, and if I wanted a real one I'd have to drive two and a half hours, and I'd rather not do that in the middle of the winter on questionable roads.

[gina_re]

I don't think I can Skype a doctor. However, I have various med changes via email with my doctor. Well many of the docs around here are affiliated with some sort of medical conglomerate that use their own personal messaging system to contact your doctor for routine medical questions. My current one seems to be fine with using that to make any changes and/or updates. "Ok, your prescription has been sent to the pharmacy! Awesome!" and I just go pick it up, or I cut pills in half, or double them, whatever they want me to do. This could be good or bad, but it saves me money on copays for an in person visit.

[Unrigged64072835]

I think I would be fine with Skype. However, it's not my first choice.