How do online exams work ?

Online exams move too slow. Phone exams are the next best thing to real.

I do online examinations for quite some time now, apart from also doing them in real life.

Purely texting doesn't do it for me. It works for me if both use voice and the patient is wiling to show itself on cam.

There is always a big step to take when a patient is told to undress and her/his body. That's why I take a few steps upfront. First discussing the wishes about the examination (medical, sexual, painful, humiliating, etc.) by text. Then answering some medical questions (texting and voice). Then slowly starting to go to cam. Answering some more questions and tell the patient to undress to its underwear. These steps can be done over several days. Making the connection more solid.

Of course there is nothing better then a real life examination. On the other hand, I have seen that such an examination also can work very well.

Wondering the same thing, i'm intrigued.

I’m curious about exams and I’d like to be examined online (just texting) for the first time but I’m struggling in finding a doctor…is something common?

For me online texting “doesn’t do it”. There is no emotion in it. And most of the time it is the doctor who tells (texts) a lot while the patient reacts with short sentences. Voice is already better, but the interaction using a cam is way better.

Most patients are shy to show their body on cam or are afraid of their privacy. Covering your face is always possible.

For me it is important to see the patient on cam, to make sure that he/she is who he/she claims to be. So preventing myself for males pretend to be females or older patients who claim to be 25.

For me online texting “doesn’t do it”. There is no emotion in it. And most of the time it is the doctor who tells (texts) a lot while the patient reacts with short sentences. Voice is already better, but the interaction using a cam is way better.

Most patients are shy to show their body on cam or are afraid of their privacy. Covering your face is always possible.

For me it is important to see the patient on cam, to make sure that he/she is who he/she claims to be. So preventing myself for males pretend to be females or older patients who claim to be 25.

Doctor Rob - Thank you for posting this as I feel exactly the same way. For me as your Doctor, it takes a lot of time, energy, and mental creativity to keep you (the patient) “going.” I don't see you, I can't react to your body movements/expressions, and in general, I hate thinking I'm just providing “fodder” for your “session.” This is particularly irritable, when after having one of these text-only exams, I ask the patient to move to virtual and they say - oh, I can't, or some other very lame excuse. I am likely to never engage with them again.

For the patients out there - your medfet doc has worked hard to be the kind of doctor you want to play with. Give them a little bit too - find ways to show appreciation for their time, effort and energy. Everyone will be much better for it.

Thanks - rant over. :-)

I think that has said it all! Online exams can work very well with accurate description and with a patient who's special needs you know. Texting is tedious and disjointed,audio much better but for the best mutual experience then online should be with a webcam setup.

I just use my web cam on Skype. Where I can see her naked for the exam, and then she will do what I tell her

I don't find online exams work, part of the experience of an exam is the doctor patient dynamic / power and online this doesn't function. The anticipation isn't there either, the patient knows exactly what is happening as they are doing it to themselves, so can't relax into the fantasy of the exam.

I'm sure it does work for others, but maybe they do different types of exams and have different patients ;-)

Doc.

Never had online exam. It sounds like it would be fun. I think I would definitely try the chatting first. Is there any risk of others getting video if doing through zoom?

I have done both in person and online, with and without cams. Online is more difficult and requires more imagination as you can't touch the patient. A cam helps in visualizing your interaction. It does require more patients on both parts however