Telemedicine, which enables video or phone appointments between a patient and their health care practitioner, benefits both health and convenience. More health care providers are offering to “see” patients by computer and smartphone.
Improved technology has made telemedicine easier, even for those who don’t consider themselves computer savvy. Patients can use telemedicine through our provider’s Kareo platform.
Telemedicine, also known as telehealth, offers many advantages, including:
Comfort and Convenience
With telemedicine, you don’t have to drive to the doctor’s office or clinic, park, walk or sit in a waiting room when you’re sick. You can see your doctor from the comfort of your own bed or sofa. Virtual visits can be easier to fit into your busy schedule. With telemedicine, depending on your schedule, you may not even have to take leave time from work or arrange for child care.
Control of Infectious Illness
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, flu and other infectious diseases, health care providers can use telehealth appointments to prescreen patients for possible infectious disease. It also saves sick people from having to come in to the office. Less exposure to other people’s germs helps everyone, especially those who are chronically ill, pregnant, elderly or immunocompromised.
Better Assessment
Telemedicine can offer practitioners an advantage because they can see you in your home environment. For example, we may be able to identify clues in your surroundings that play a role in the symptoms you are having. Telemedicine is also a good way to get mental health assessment and counseling.
Primary Care and Chronic Condition Management
Regular visits with primary care practitioners are essential to your family’s health. Telemedicine makes it easy to connect with a doctor or nurse practitioner. Some systems are set up so that new patients can get an appointment with the next available practitioner, which can save time.