# PTE Essay #26: Digital Healthcare Communication

Write Essay #26 - Level 2 - Feeds Writing

> You have 20 minutes to plan, write and check an essay on the topic below. Write 200-300 words and answer the question exactly as it is asked.

Now doctors can talk to patients by using internet-based communication in the office. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

## Answer

Doctors can now consult patients through video calls and other internet-based tools from their offices. In my view, this development offers important advantages in convenience and access, but it also has real drawbacks. On balance, I believe online consultations are valuable as long as they complement, rather than replace, face-to-face care.

The main advantage of online communication is that it saves time and widens access to health care. Patients no longer need to travel, take a day off work or sit in crowded waiting rooms for a short appointment. For instance, a busy farmer living far from town can discuss test results with his doctor by video instead of making a long journey. Online visits also reduce the risk of spreading infections in clinics, and doctors can see more patients in a single day.

However, remote consultations have clear disadvantages. A doctor cannot physically examine a patient over a screen, so some symptoms may be missed or misjudged. A patient describing chest pain on a video call, for example, cannot have her heart checked with a stethoscope or receive an immediate test. In addition, some patients, particularly older people who are unfamiliar with technology, may struggle to connect. Privacy is another concern, since personal medical information may be exposed if systems are not secure.

In conclusion, internet-based communication makes health care faster and more accessible, but it limits physical examination and may exclude some patients. I therefore believe it works best as a supplement to in-person visits, used mainly for follow-ups and simple cases.

## Explanation

A successful response must explicitly evaluate both the positive aspects, such as increased accessibility, and the negative aspects, such as potential diagnostic limitations, to satisfy the prompt requirements.

## Hints

- Ensure you dedicate at least one paragraph to the benefits and another to the drawbacks.
- Consider how remote interaction affects the quality of physical examinations compared to in-person visits.

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