With the increased usage of telemedicine in the past decade, you may wonder what this service can do for you. Our patients use it to receive much of the same care they get in person but from the comfort of their own home. If you’re curious about how telemedicine works and whether it may be helpful for your needs, then you’re in the right place!
What Is Telemedicine?
At its core, telemedicine is the use of secure audio and video technologies to receive medical care and remote consultations. It allows our patients to access basic medical care without having to travel to a clinic or hospital. These appointments are often conducted from the comfort of our patient’s own home. This flexibility can be especially helpful if they’re homebound due to an illness or disability.
To schedule an appointment, our patients simply call our office or send us an email. Once we settle on a time, we schedule their appointment like any other doctor’s visit. The virtual face-to-face appointment is then conducted through our HIPAA-compliant communication technology. During the appointment, we both can see each other on our computer, tablet, or smartphone screen. We address any questions or concerns during the call, and we gladly assist our patients as needed.
Benefits of Telemedicine
Since telemedicine doesn’t require anyone to travel or wait in an office, this service is quite beneficial for patients and physicians alike.
For our patients, telemedicine eliminates the need for long waits at a clinic or doctor’s office. Those who live in rural areas, have limited transportation, or have few local options may not have to travel for care. Finally, because our telemedicine appointments take place online and over the phone, they can offer greater privacy than traditional in-person visits. For reasons like these, many patients have been quite pleased with their telemedicine experiences and would use the option again.
For physicians, telemedicine can reduce overhead costs while still allowing them to provide quality care without having to travel. This also means a single physician may often see many more patients each day. Plus, they can dramatically reduce their exposure to contagious viruses and bacteria, further cutting down on waste and wait times.
How Is Telemedicine Used?
Our patients’ circumstances vary, and a serious or immediate need will most likely require an in-person visit. However, if you’re dealing with a mild or recurring need, then telemedicine may be just what you’re looking for.
Common uses of telemedicine include consultations, follow-up appointments, mental health counseling, prescription refills, and physical therapy sessions. Our telemedicine services are also used for chronic care management and post-acute care needs like diagnosing illnesses and prescribing medications.
Preparing for Your Telemedicine Appointment
If the idea of a telemedicine appointment seems daunting to you, then don’t worry! Just ask us or your physician for recommendations on how to best prepare for your appointment. We often recommend gathering needed documents, meeting in a room without distractions, and testing your device before your appointment.
Communication between patient and provider is critical for successful telemedicine visits. Our patients must be able to clearly communicate their symptoms through their device. This ensures they receive proper diagnosis or recommendation for their condition. We always recommend that our patients use a computer or mobile device with a Chrome, Firefox, or Safari web browser for their telemedicine visits.
During your appointment, note-taking may be encouraged, as you can refer to them long after your appointment ends. You may also receive an email or notification from us or your physician with other information such as prescriptions or suggested exercises.
Ask Us How Telemedicine Works
Thanks to its convenience and affordability, telemedicine is an outstanding aspect of modern healthcare. Whether you’re looking for preventive health measures or simply need help managing a chronic condition, then consider trying telemedicine today! For more information on our telemedicine services, please visit our website.
You may also contact us directly by either calling our office or reaching out online. We look forward to hearing how our team may assist in fulfilling your medical needs.