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Please people do not be fooled with the thought you have to leave your house to receive great care from your provider.

You can receive great care via your electronic devices from the comfort of your home.

• No more drives to a clinic.
• No more having to find a parking spot.
• No more crowded waiting rooms with sick patients.

Most people who visit their primary care provider are there for simple medication refills and very simple follow ups. Let’s be honest the drive to get there is longer than the meeting with your provider.

In this post I’m going to tell you:

• What is telehealth?
• Why telemedicine is needed?
• What are the pros of a telehealth visit?
• What are the cons?
• When you need to see your provider?

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine is the distribution of health care services via electronic devices and telecommunication technologies. Telemedicine can be delivered via video chats, text messages, or phone calls.

Why is telemedicine needed?

Let’s be honest telemedicine is needed now more than ever. Covid-19 has changed the way crowds of people gather forever. Telemedicine allows you to see your provider in the comfort of your house or office.

What are the pros of telemedicine?

Convenience: Telemedicine allows you to set up a meeting with your provider on your time. You can set an appointment and talk to your provider with out leaving your house.

Safety: It allows you to be safe from other people’s sickness. Let’s be honest most clinic waiting rooms or full of sick people. Telemedicine visits allow you to skip the crowded sick waiting rooms.

It’s covered by insurance: Most insurance and Medicare and Medicaid cover telehealth visits. Covid-19 has helped push telehealth visits.

Speed: Another pro is the speed of the visits. Most virtual visits can be done within 30 minutes. This is not for the initial or more complex visits, but quick check-ins can be done quickly.

What are the cons?

I’m going to be fair and name the cons of telemedicine.

There is no physical interaction: Every diagnosis cannot be made through telemedicine. Providers cannot feel swollen glands, broken bones, or do tests over the phone or tablet. Providers cannot check labs over the devices.

Not everyone has the technology: Everyone may not have the devices needed to use telemedicine. Bad quality audio or video could be an issue.

No personal connection: Some telemedicine places offer visits from doctors you have no personal connection with. There is no doctor patient relationship developed.

Only used for minor issues: Telemedicine is mostly used for minor issues.

When do you need to see your provider in person?

If the issue involves something your provider needs to see. (Bleeding, swollen glands, discharge, or anything that is not minor).

Telemedicine is great for:

• Non urgent visits
• Follow up visits
• Medication management
• Chronic disease management
• Lifestyle modification
• Flu, Cold, Allergies
• Mental health issues or questions
• Smoking cessation
• Rashes and skin issues
• General health questions

If you want to know if you should visit your provider in person or virtually, contact them ask them.