Telemedicine Specialist

2020 has shown us how rapidly change can take place as we have all had to adapt to what has been deemed “the new normal”. While there have definitely been some nuisances along the way, our ability to adapt has also unlocked some great tools to help in the delivery of top-notch patient care. The most note-worthy of these is telemedicine.

Benefits of telemedicine:

• Ability to see your provider in the comfort and safety of your own home
• No transportation concerns or associated costs
• Eliminate child-care or elder care issues
• Less dedicated time needed than a face-to-face visit, so limited time needed off from work (if any)

Common reasons for telemedicine visits:

• Routine follow up for lab or test results
• Routine medication refills
• Evaluation for specialist referral or testing orders
• Simple medical advice
• Wellness visits
• Routine appointment for management of chronic conditions
• Acute upper respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion, sore throat, sinus pressure, etc.
• Initial simple evaluation of cough

What requires an in-office visit instead of telemedicine?

• Complex medical care
• Appointments requiring treatments such as breathing treatment, injections, sutures, etc.
• Management of some uncontrolled chronic medical conditions
• Acute abdominal pain
• Acute musculoskeletal injury
• COPD or CHF exacerbation
• Refills of controlled substances
• New (never prescribed by our office) medications