Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I see my Provider via telehealth?
Advantages of Telehealth Visits
Less Chance of Catching a New Illness
Where can you be sure to find a lot of sick people? At the doctor’s office of course. While everyone does their best to prevent one patient from catching something from another, it is always possible, especially in crowded waiting rooms. By staying home, you get the care you need while avoiding the risk of exposure and the chance that you’ll pass your illness on to someone else.
Less Time in the Waiting Room
If you choose a video visit via telemedicine technology, you’ll eliminate all that time spent looking at old magazines in a doctor’s office. Even if you don’t use telemedicine, choosing a practice that offers it will reduce your wait time by letting other patients be seen from home.
Better Health
When you are able to see your doctor as often as you need to, without the challenges of getting into the office, you can practice better management of your medication, lifestyle, and any chronic conditions you might have.
No transportation time or costs
When you see your doctor on your mobile device or computer, you can save money on gas, parking, and public transportation. Even better, you don’t waste time traveling or risk running into a traffic jam that makes you late for your appointment, or worse, late getting back to work.
No need to take time off of work
Speaking of work, video visits largely remove the need to take time off. You can simply schedule your visit during a break, or before or after work. You can be anywhere that offers sufficient privacy. You can comply with your doctor’s follow-up instructions and maintain your health without missing a day of work or wasting your precious paid time off.
Eliminate child or elder care issues
Many of us have the responsibility for caring for children or older adults. Finding alternative care so that you can see the doctor can be difficult and expensive. Bringing them along can be stressful or impractical. Fortunately, telemedicine solves this challenge by allowing you to see your doctor while upholding your family responsibilities.
How does telehealth work?
- Telehealth visits use your video camera and microphone on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. This is similar to FaceTime and Google Duo video phone calls.
- We send you a link by text message or email.
- You will click the link to be taken to the webpage for the visit and you will then click the Join button to begin your appointment.
- After you click Join, you are in the “waiting room” until your Provider is ready to begin your appointment.
- When your Provider joins you will see your provider via your camera on your device and your provider will see you.
Additional Telehealth Information
You will need to respond to any messsages that pop up on your screen that ask you to allow your video camera and microphone to be used for the visit. This gives permission for the video camera and microphone to turn on.
It is important to know that not every situation is right for a video visit. Your provider and staff know when it is safe and effective to conduct a visit using telemedicine.
Visits that are done via telehealth have no difference from in person care in the ability of a provider to gather necessary information, make an accurate diagnosis, and develop a plan for treatment.
What kind of visit can I have via telehealth?
Video visits can be used to replace in-office visits in a number of ways. Examples include:
Follow-Up Exams
Providers often recommend a follow up visit after beginning a course of treatment. These visits are important to the ultimate resolution or management of the problem. Doing them remotely makes it easier for you to comply with the doctor’s recommendations.
Urgent Care
Both traditional practices and stand alone clinics are starting to offer telemedicine as an option for urgent care needs. Conditions such as the flu, sinus infections, urinary tract infections, and more can be effectively treated without an in-office visit.
How do I schedule an appointment via telehealth?
When you contact us for an appointment, depending upon the reason for your visit, we will offer you the option to have your visit via telehealth.
If you already have a visit scheduled, depending upon the reason for your visit, we will contact you and offer a telehealth visit.