Health on the move: the benefits of virtual care

At times, our lives may feel non-stop, and our travel commitments and busy schedules often mean we don’t have time to speak to a doctor about our health concerns.

If you’re in this situation, then taking a more proactive approach to your health can be vital to stay ahead of potential health issues or manage ongoing conditions.

In this article, we explore ways you can use virtual care to get proactive health advice from anywhere – whether it’s at home, travelling, or living abroad. 

We feature insights from Daniel Maia, Medical Director at Teladoc Health – our partners in delivering Global Virtual Care through Blua.

Proactive health, at home and abroad

Moving or travelling to another country can be an exciting time for you and your family, but it can also present some challenges. 

We asked Daniel why it’s important to prioritise proactive health while abroad.

“It’s all about finding reassurance to help you and your family settle into life abroad,” he says, “whether you’re adjusting to a new climate, new routine, or feelings of isolation. Knowing you can get support from experienced clinicians, when you need it, can give you confidence when dealing with unfamiliar healthcare systems.” 

When you’re in another country, a virtual medical appointment can connect you with familiar, reliable, and quick advice, letting you speak to international doctors in your preferred language. 

The benefits of virtual care can also help when:

• You need health advice quickly but have to overcome potential language barriers or cultural differences
• Your busy schedule and constant movement makes it hard to prioritise your health 
• You spot new symptoms while travelling and don’t want to wait until you return home to get them checked
• You have children or family members with ongoing health conditions that need continuity of care after relocating

As Daniel puts it: “You can use virtual care to make the time for your health, even when juggling work, family, and other responsibilities. At Teladaoc, our doctors often speak to patients on their lunch break or after hours.” 

Seeing a doctor abroad without disruption puts proactive healthcare at your fingertips, even for the busiest individuals.

Early detection through virtual care

We all know about the benefits of an active lifestyle and healthy diet when it comes to preventing health issues.

But often, we overlook the importance of early detection in spotting some conditions before they can worsen.

“When you’re trying to be proactive about your health,” Daniel says, “early detection is a must.”

“Speaking to a doctor at the first sign of a problem lets you address health concerns as they come up, get your symptoms checked sooner and arrange any follow-up appointments you may need.” 

However, when you’re limited by travel and a busy schedule, it can be challenging to make the time for this.

Virtual care lets you speak to a doctor when it suits you, day or night, so you can get sound medical advice early to help you take the right next step, which could be:

• A plan for self-care to help manage your symptoms
• Further in-person medical tests or assessments
• Seeing a specialist either virtually or in-person

When you're trying to be proactive about your health, early detection is a must.

- Daniel Maia, Teladoc Health

Benefits of virtual care for managing chronic conditions

If you’re living with a chronic condition like diabetes, hypertension, or asthma, it’s important to monitor your health consistently and get the help you need without having to travel or wait for an appointment.

This can also be a top priority when you move to a new country or are travelling with work.

Using virtual care can make it a lot smoother to consistently manage any long-term conditions you may have, helping you to:

• Check in with a doctor regularly 
• Track your symptoms
• Adjust your ongoing treatment plan
• Get lifestyle advice to help manage your condition

Does a virtual appointment provide the same level of care as in-person?

As Daniel says, “While some health concerns may still require physical examinations, many concerns – from infections to chronic conditions – can be effectively addressed through video consultations.

Plus, virtual clinicians can guide patients to in-person care when needed.”

Virtual care is designed to work alongside in-person healthcare, giving you the same high-quality of advice based on actual medical evidence.

It’s important to note that while virtual appointments don’t replace in-person care, they can enhance it. 

A video consultation can be your first point of contact for a doctor to assess your symptoms and decide if you need face-to-face treatment. 

And if you do need a physical exam or procedure, virtual care can complement your in-person appointment.

Existing members can access Global Virtual Care through Blua 

We know how important it is to get the healthcare you need, when you need it and wherever you are in the world. 

Available to all Bupa Global members, Global Virtual Care gives you access to unlimited virtual consultations with a doctor, by phone or video, at a time that suits you, letting you make the most of your healthcare cover abroad or at home. 

Global Virtual Care doctors can provide prescriptions, recommend over-the-counter medication, and give self-care advice. They can also help with onward specialist referrals where needed, guiding you to the right care for your symptoms.