COVID-19 has led schools, workplaces, and nearly every other industry to explore remote options to help slow the spread of the virus. One of the most important industries utilizing remote options is the healthcare industry. Telemedicine is the remote care for clinical patient needs and it has more benefits than you realize! If you’re on the fence about switching to telemedicine, checkout these benefits that will likely change your mind.
Flexible Care
Telemedicine allows you to speak with your healthcare provider from almost anywhere. This allows for flexible scheduling options so you won’t have to take time away from work, school, and other responsibilities to speak with your provider. You can even have your appointment without changing out of your pajamas if you want to!
Remote Management of Existing Conditions
If you need to speak with a healthcare provider to manage an existing condition, manage medications, or have a follow-up on a previous appointment, there’s no reason to put yourself at risk by visiting a healthcare facility in person. Since your provider is already familiar with your condition and history, having a remote appointment for follow-ups is extremely easy. You can ask questions, address concerns, and work with your doctor to determine if your care plan should be changed or remain the same to best manage your condition.
Limiting Patient Exposure to Illnesses
People are being urged to limit their potential exposure to COVID-19, so why would visiting a healthcare provider be any different? High-risk patients should be especially careful with the amount of time spent in public and telemedicine helps to solve part of that problem. In addition to avoiding COVID-19, telemedicine helps lower your risk of exposure to more common illnesses like the common cold and influenza.
Consultation and Referrals
Oftentimes, the first appointment with a healthcare provider is just a consultation. They will review your history, talk about your concerns, and form a plan of action to get you diagnosed and treated. This typically results in referrals to specialists or for further testing. A telemedicine appointment is perfect for this consultation phase because more than likely, you will need further testing or referrals before treatment begins anyways. There’s no need to go to an office and put yourself at risk of COVID-19 for a consultation that can easily be done using telemedicine.
To schedule a telemedicine appointment, contact a nearby urgent care center today! They can help work through your concerns and offer referrals as needed to get you the best care possible.
