In a story at the AllianceHealth Oklahoma website, the health network’s CEO Jim Kendrick shared his excitement about the prospect of Oklahomans having better access to affordable health care. “Having a physician diagnose your sore throat from the comfort of your sofa or via your computer at work may sound like a dream come true, and for Oklahomans, it is,” said Kendrick.

But while Dr. Paul Preslar, a family practitioner affiliated with an AllianceHealth Medical Group walk-in clinic in Midwest City, appreciates this new frontier in health care, he’s also quick to point out that, “Virtual appointments aren’t designed to replace the physician-patient relationship. But we know there are times when it’s either a real inconvenience to get to your primary care doctor or your regular doctor’s office is closed. Having an alternative option to obtain the appropriate level of care in a cost-effective format is smart for both patients and the health care system.”


According to CBS News, Rob Hayden, a former American Well employee, who now works for New York Life Investments, recently used the Amwell app for a video chat with a doctor after having sudden eye swelling, a possible allergic reaction to shellfish.

“Getting an immediate response on how to treat it provided huge peace of mind,” related Hayden, who saw the service as an alternative to an urgent care center or hours waiting in the ER. “I've lived in three cities in the last five years, and finding and establishing a relationship with a doctor ends up being difficult.”

App-arently, not anymore.

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