Setting a doctor's appointment can be a nightmare while sitting in the lobby waiting for your turn to see the doctor can be agonizing. Luckily, the health care industry is finally taking advantage of the technological boom and has found a way to make doctor's visits digital.

Two of the most successful "digital health" companies are Teladoc and Doctors on Demand. Both companies offer virtual doctor visits and patients will just use a smartphone, tablet or computer to connect with a board certified doctor. And like a doctor's visit in the real world, the on-demand doctor will do the patient's medical history, conduct an exam and even write the necessary prescription.

For instance, one patient with a sinus infection who used the Doctor on Demand app found it to be fast and efficient. According to her, she just logged on and in minutes, a doctor in scrubs was ready to see her. The doctor asked her questions, had her touch places that were tender and even asked her to say "Ahhh" to her iPad's camera so he can see her throat. The doctor was able to make a diagnosis in five to 10 minutes and then sent a prescription to her drug store.

The service is gaining a lot of ground because patients can avoid the long wait at the clinic, they minimize their exposure to other viruses and the doctor is always accessible. But a virtual visit can cost anywhere from $40 to $95.

However, the services that Teladoc and Doctor on Demand provide are not a substitute to a real doctor, especially if the patient has a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure. It's also not designed for serious emergencies like a grave injury or chest pains. Patients should still call 911 or rush to the emergency room in those cases.