3 Reasons Why To Pick A Hawaii Licensed and Hawaii Located Doctor For Telemedicine In The State

1. Telemedicine Can Easily Treat Many Common Conditions

Many large telemedicine providers offer online care services to people living or visiting Hawaii, but more often than not those physicians are not physically located in Hawaii. Access to a doctor that resides in the state is especially important because there are many specific conditions and illnesses that are far more common in Hawaii than on the mainland. Evolving over 70 million years ago in nearly complete isolation, more than 90% of the State’s native flora is found only in the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii is home to plants, animals, and foods that either do not exist elsewhere in the world or are extremely rare. For example, if a visitor hiking Hawaii Volcano National Park touched a nettles plant and then experienced an allergic reaction on their skin, a mainland doctor might easily conclude it was a bug bite, heat rash, or other topical problem.

Incorrectly diagnosing the problem can lead to additional healthcare problems for the patient including fever, the rash spreading, or even more serious illnesses and staff infections. Seeing a Hawaii located doctor online can increase the likelihood of a correct diagnosis because the doctor is more likely to be aware of skin conditions brought on by indigenous species.

2. Understanding The Lingo

Many local residents speak Pidgin, a special dialect of English that originated on Hawaii’s sugarcane plantations. Examples, “Shoots brah we go cruise when you pau hana,” which means “Let’s hang out when you’re off work.” Or, “Ho deez grinds is broke da mout,” which means “This food tastes delicious.” A doctor who doesn’t live in Hawaii could easily misunderstand what the patient was saying, which could create problems with diagnosing the patient’s medical condition. Picking a Hawaii licensed, Hawaii located doctor ensures that the patient and doctor are literally speaking the same language. This increases the likelihood of a correct diagnosis at the earliest stages.

3. Location Location Location

Finally, seeing a Hawaii located doctor online can help with prescription fulfillment or future care needs for the patient. After a telemedicine appointment concludes the doctor will ask the patient which pharmacy they’d like to pick up medications from. In Hawaii, many streets have Hawaiian names that are difficult for a doctor not living in Hawaii to spell or identify because they sound very similar, ex. Waipio verses Waipahu. A Hawaii located doctor will quickly be able to identify where the closest pharmacy to the patient is located ensure that the medicine arrives there as fast as possible. In addition to pharmacy locations, if the physician determines that the patient may require in-person medical care, they can recommend a local Primary Care Physician, Specialist, or the closest urgent care for follow-up. For critical situations, a Hawaii located physician can recommend the local hospital best equipped to address the patient’s medical conditions.

For immediate diagnosis and treatment, having access to a doctor from everywhere you happen to be via telemedicine offers potentially life-saving benefits. But whether you live in or travel through Hawaii, you do not have to settle for a doctor who could be anywhere when you can access a Hawaii located physician.