Q: I see tons of ads for telehealth. Is that a good idea, or should I stick to my regular doctor?

Lots of my friends have been asking me lately: Is telehealth sketchy?

I'm a primary care doctor — one who practices in a "regular" brick-and-mortar office — and people in my life have lots of questions about the ads they see for online doctors offering everything from mental health care to Viagra.

The services seem so easy to use, my friends say, but they're not sure that they're safe.

Nobody can deny the ease of telehealth. You can schedule appointments within hours — sometimes minutes — of realizing you need care and see a doctor from your couch, in your pajamas.

Do you have a medical question you’d like an honest answer on? Write us at thrive@npr.org, and we’ll consider your questio

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