App of the Week: Doctor on Demand

Medical attention is is one of the most needed and costly services in the African-American community. It can take as much as three weeks to get a doctors appointment and even longer using public medical assistance programs. Not to mention the fact that some black people, especially black men, are just too damn stubborn to go to a doctor. This week’s app may help solve this problem.

Doctor on Demand is an app that allows the user to have a video visit with a board certified doctor anytime they wish using video chat technology. The app allows you to consult with a doctor from anywhere. This is not an emergency medical service and is not a substitute for a trip to the emergency room.

We all know how a doctor visit can take a chunk of time out of our day. Doctor on Demand can make that trip completely unnecessary for common complaints such as cold and flu, sore throats, skin rashes, stomach illnesses, sports injuries and even traveler’s sicknesses. You can consult with a physician from anywhere in the world but they will not be able to write a prescription for outside the U.S.  And keep in mind that the doctor can see you so he or she may be able to examine those strange bumps or mysterious rashes. However there are some illnesses that are not treatable through the app and these are cancer and other complex illnesses and chronic conditions.

The website offers short profiles of the doctors you will find there along with images of their smiling faces.  This allows the patient to at least have some background knowledge of the doctor’s qualifications. I am sure it can be comforting for some people.

I examined some of the profiles and would have to say that Doctor on Demand has done an admirable job of bringing qualified professionals on board.

For parents there is a pediatric triage service available for your child’s minor illnesses including coughs and colds. Doctor On Demand offers trained pediatricians who can evaluate your child’s condition immediately.  The physician can determine whether their injury or illness requires in-person medical attention or not. In many cases, the doctor maybe able to treat your child in your home with a prescription or non-prescription therapy and answer any specific medical questions a concerned parent may have. Doctor on Demand can also prevent keep your child from exchanging those nasty germs and viruses with other kids in the doctor’s waiting room.

The Doctor on Demand app has recently undergone a  transformation and added some additional features for mothers. Now the app offers consulting services for lactating mothers. Doctor on Demand has partnered with Upspring Baby to provide board certified lactation consultants.  Another new feature of the app is psychology services. Using the video chat you can talk with professional psychologists from the privacy of your home or anywhere you may be using your smart phone, tablet or laptop. Some of the issues the psychologists can address include depression, relationship issues, stress and anxiety, addictions and eating disorders. You can see the complete list here.

The Doctor on Demand charges $40 for a regular video visit. A visit with a psychologist is $50 for a 25 minute session and $95 for a 50 minute session. The cost of a lactation consultation with Doctor On Demand/UpSpring Baby  is $40 for a 25 minute and $70 for 50 minutes. None of this is currently covered by insurance.

Doctor on Demand is available on Apple and Android as well as through their website.