[sithu]

Beyond cost, seeing a doctor is an annoyingly long and cumbersome process. If it were convenient, affordable, and of reasonable quality, more people would likely utilize the service- improving health, earlier detection, etc.

How many old farmers have you seen drag themselves into clinic with their 2-year bone pain that turns out to be multiple myeloma? Would they have come to attention sooner if a virtual visit took 10 mins on their computer, rather than a full day in the city?

Hard to quantify, but I do believe there is a role for a "drive thru" option here. Not every symptom needs the full weight of an academic medical center. Every day in the community there are doctors prescribing based on only a conversation, and there's ample conditions when this is fully appropriate. When a simple answer isn't possible, referrals will undoubtedly be made. The biggest issue is establishing trust.