Thanks to telehealth services, a patient can see their doctor from the safety and comfort of their own home. At Family Practice of Holyoke, Dr. Rebecca Moore is among the providers offering virtual appointments.
What is telehealth anyway?
Telehealth has long been touted as a convenient, oftentimes less expensive, means for people to receive health care without making a trip to the doctor’s office. Until recently, though, it hadn’t really caught on in Holyoke.
Because of restrictions and precautions surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, Family Practice of Holyoke started offering telehealth services. The hope is that it’s here to stay — even after COVID-19 ceases to be a concern.
Given that telehealth is still quite new to the community, clinic manager Jayden Miracle answered some questions that folks may have about the service.
What type of appointment is telehealth good for?
Almost any appointment that you’d make at the clinic can be done via telehealth, Miracle explained. That includes annual wellness visits, check-ins with a provider, chronic care, hospital follow-ups, mental and behavioral health, prescription refills, and general concerns about health.
Of course, some appointments aren’t suitable for telehealth. If a patient needs their blood pressure taken, for example, their provider would have them go to the clinic in person. Emergencies, of course, should still be handled by the emergency department, and anyone who thinks they may have COIVD-19 should call before going in.
What does the process look like?
A patient simply calls the clinic and sets up a time for their appointment as usual. Once scheduled, the patient will receive a text or an email containing a link to join a video call. At the time of the appointment, the patient will click the link and allow video and audio. There’s no app required. Just as they would in person, a medical assistant will start off the appointment with the preliminaries, and then the provider will see the patient.
Aside from video appointments, there are a few other ways for patients to contact their providers remotely. One is to send a message through the patient portal. That’s a good place to follow up on labs or imaging or to ask general questions about one’s health. The provider can send a message back and let the patient know if they need to schedule an appointment. Another option is a virtual check-in. If a patient has questions, the provider will call back with an answer when time allows.
Who would benefit from telehealth?
As long as COVID-19 is a concern, at-risk individuals are encouraged to stay at home unless it’s necessary to leave. For such people, telehealth can offer access to health care without leaving the home and risking exposure. Even those who aren’t at a higher risk of getting sick may opt for telehealth simply to reduce traffic at the clinic.
Even after the coronavirus outbreak passes, telehealth will remain useful because of its convenience. A farmer can do his annual wellness visit by video without having to go to town during a busy season. A business person can schedule her appointment over lunch in the middle of a packed schedule. A parent can follow up with their provider without having to find child care.
Will I be seeing someone I know?
Yes, whether using telehealth or visiting the clinic in person, patients will see their primary care provider.
What if I’m a new patient?
Due to COVID-19, new patients can currently be established through telehealth.
Is there a downside to using telehealth?
Some people may be concerned about their privacy when using telehealth, but Family Practice of Holyoke uses HIPPA compliant encrypted software, meaning video and messaging are secure. Documentation is the same whether an appointment is in person or via video, so health records will be updated as usual.