But while Web-based diagnosis may be quick and convenient, there is debate among physicians about whether these pioneering online consultations are safe or reliable.
Many skeptical physicians say no.
You can't obtain all the information you need without meeting and examining the patient. Rakatansky believes on-line medical consultation could help advance medicine, but not without enforceable guidelines. On-line practitioners, however, believe they can fill an important gap in health care coverage. There is no reliable data on just how many people go on-line for medical consultation. Cyberdocs says it takes about 4,100 appointments a day, many from international patients.