HealthTap is a for-profit company that offers doctors an interactive platform to share knowledge and answer questions. Additionally, they offer patients and consumers the chance to video chat with doctors online.
The company seeks to create immediate and intimate connections between doctors and patients. To do this, the company utilizes technology that directs people towards peer-reviewed individualized health information and quickly connects them with the appropriate doctor.
What is Internal Medicine?
Internal medicine is a medical specialty that encompasses physicians treating various health problems in adults. These doctors are knowledgeable in diagnostics, treating chronic illnesses and promoting good health.
Internists provide preventive, acute and chronic care to their patients in both outpatient settings (ambulatory) and hospitals. Some may specialize in one area of clinical practice such as gastroenterology or cardiology.
Internal medicine physicians undergo general medical education and a three-year residency. During this time, residents gain clinical experience in hospitals and inpatient settings as well as exposure to different subspecialties within medicine. Once doctors have completed this rigorous training and passed either USMLE Step 3 for MDs or COMLEX-USA Level 3 for Osteopathic Physicians, they become eligible to be board certified in internal medicine.
Subspecialties of Internal Medicine
Internal medicine provides a strong foundation for physicians seeking to specialize in other medical specialties and subspecialties.
Internists, also known as doctors of internal medicine or internists, evaluate, diagnose and treat all adult diseases and disorders that affect the human body. They may serve as primary care doctors who focus on chronic illness management as well as disease prevention initiatives.
Many internal medicine doctors choose to specialize in a particular field. Popular subspecialties include hematology, gastroenterology and nephrology.
Hematologists specialize in blood disorders such as hemophilia and anemia. They examine specimens under a microscope, analyze lab results, and draw upon their scientific expertise to make a diagnosis.
Nephrologists specialize in kidney diseases and conditions that affect them, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, they research the underlying causes of kidney failure to find a resolution.
How to Get Started with HealthTap Internal Medicine
HealthTap’s doctors provide answers to general healthcare inquiries, from treatment plans and prescriptions to lab testing and referral suggestions. You may also take advantage of HealthTap’s AI-powered symptom checker which intelligently explains potential causes and recommends next best steps for care.
The company notes its members can access the doctor network from any mobile device or desktop computer, with a single flat fee per consultation. They may also choose to subscribe to the Prime plan which offers unlimited visits at a discounted rate.
Established in 2010 by Ron Gutman, this company strives to simplify the health system while cutting costs and increasing patient engagement. At present, it offers health information from its network of 90,000 US-licensed doctors across 147 specialties as well as text-based doctor consultations.
Doctors who join HealthTap can showcase their expertise to a global audience. They can use it as an effective marketing strategy to cultivate their online reputation and attract new patients in their local area.
FAQs about HealthTap Internal Medicine
HealthTap Internal Medicine offers members access to experienced doctors that specialize in various fields. These doctors answer queries from members and respond to peer review inquiries promptly.
HealthTap requires all physicians who participate in the platform a thorough verification process to guarantee they hold a valid medical license and are in good standing. As part of the platform’s free Virtual Practice model, these doctors can lead the online health conversation and create quality content for members only.
Doctors can order prescriptions, run lab tests and refer their patients to specialists. This helps patients avoid needless emergency room or urgent care visits, while giving them improved access to their medical information.
HealthTap is revolutionizing healthcare by reinvigorating doctor-patient interactions and providing reliable health information to people anytime, anywhere – free of charge. At present, more than 6,000 top physicians and 500 top healthcare institutions are actively involved in the platform’s initiatives.
