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> I'm not sure why anyone would take medical advice from a medical student. Because it's often free. Getting proper medical advice has a barrier of entry (mon

> I'm not sure why anyone would take medical advice from a medical student. Because it's often free. Getting proper medical advice has a barrier of entry (money) and if someone is on the edge (should I worry about this? It's probably fine but let me check with this person before spending money). An appointment with my PCP costs me at least $200 (insurance pays for 90% of it only after I max out my spending of over 3k) and a specialist will take at least $400. I'm lucky for my insurance and my paycheck but I can see how a lot of people would try to avoid paying that $200 especially when they have something kinda like medical advice available for free. In my opinion It's not the people, it's the high price of medical services.

wstrange 8y ago
Alberta created a free 1-800 number that you can call to discuss symptoms with a registered nurse. If there is any hint that the issue is serious they tell you to go your doctor (or emergency). But for many minor ailments advice over the phone is sufficient. I suspect the service cuts down a lot of unnecessary visits to emergency.
- rootusrootus 8y ago
  My insurance company helpfully offers a service where you can video chat with a doctor or nurse for minor ailments. Then they charge you the full rate as if you had gone into the clinic.
  - decebalus1 8y ago
    My previous insurance had something like this, which I used 4 times. Every single time, the response was: "hmm... yeah.. that's.. hmm.. I recommend you go to a walk-in clinic. Here's a list of urgent care facilities close to you. Pick one and go there by the end of the day". Completely useless. I guess it has something to do with CYA policies.
    - ska 8y ago
      There is a selection bias problem here. Walk ins and emergency departments see a lot of people who really didn't need to be there but weren't confident about that. Such a call line could presumably clear most of those out easily. On the other hand, if you don't even call until you are very confident there is a problem that won't resolve itself or whatever, you'll get redirected every time.
- travisoneill1 8y ago
  Do they check if you're actually from Alberta?
  - wstrange 8y ago
    My recollection was that they ask for your health care number, but if you provide a correct one they don't have any way of verifying the information. I suppose if the service gets abused they will need to address this.

wstrange 8y ago

Alberta created a free 1-800 number that you can call to discuss symptoms with a registered nurse. If there is any hint that the issue is serious they tell you to go your doctor (or emergency). But for many minor ailments advice over the phone is sufficient. I suspect the service cuts down a lot of unnecessary visits to emergency.

rootusrootus 8y ago
My insurance company helpfully offers a service where you can video chat with a doctor or nurse for minor ailments. Then they charge you the full rate as if you had gone into the clinic.
- decebalus1 8y ago
  My previous insurance had something like this, which I used 4 times. Every single time, the response was: "hmm... yeah.. that's.. hmm.. I recommend you go to a walk-in clinic. Here's a list of urgent care facilities close to you. Pick one and go there by the end of the day". Completely useless. I guess it has something to do with CYA policies.
  - ska 8y ago
    There is a selection bias problem here. Walk ins and emergency departments see a lot of people who really didn't need to be there but weren't confident about that. Such a call line could presumably clear most of those out easily. On the other hand, if you don't even call until you are very confident there is a problem that won't resolve itself or whatever, you'll get redirected every time.
travisoneill1 8y ago
Do they check if you're actually from Alberta?
- wstrange 8y ago
  My recollection was that they ask for your health care number, but if you provide a correct one they don't have any way of verifying the information. I suppose if the service gets abused they will need to address this.