our ability to deliver health care. Fortunately, medical providers were able to pivot thanks to video technology and offer quality care remotely through telehealth.
This explains why telehealth use went from about 25% in 2018 to 79% during the pandemic. Today, usage is around 71%, which shows just how well telemedicine continues to work.
At CareOne Internal Medicine and Primary Care, our team is pleased to continue our telehealth services, which make health care easier and more accessible to patients, among other benefits.
Here, we get into some of the benefits of this approach to your health and what you can expect during a telehealth appointment.
The primary reason telehealth is so effective is thanks to the technology that’s often found in your hand — your smartphone or smart tablet. Telehealth is a virtual visit conducted remotely using video conferencing, allowing us to see you and you to see us.
This approach to health care is ideal for certain circumstances, such as:
One of the reasons our patients appreciate telemedicine is that seeing a doctor is far less of a hassle. Instead of carving out a couple of hours for a visit, if you include drive time and parking, you can meet with your provider from the comfort of your own home.
This is especially helpful for individuals with mobility issues or caregivers who aren't able to leave the house.
Another reason telehealth can be so effective is that it minimizes your risk of spreading or contracting disease.
More than three-quarters of adults in the United States have one chronic illness, and millions of Americans have more than one. Most chronic diseases require regular management and oversight, and, in many cases, this can be accomplished through telehealth.
Now let’s review what a typical telehealth appointment looks like. To start, you schedule the appointment, and we send you a reminder.
When the time draws near, it’s important to find a quiet place in your home or office for your virtual visit. We ask that patients log in a few minutes early. Once we see that you've logged in, your provider will connect with you.
During your virtual visit, we go over your symptoms and use video technology to get a visual. You can also upload pictures beforehand if that works better.
There are other objectives we can accomplish during a virtual visit, such as:
This is your time, so we suggest that you jot down anything important you want to ask before your appointment. That way, you can reference your notes to make sure you get all your concerns and questions addressed.
If you have more questions about your upcoming telehealth appointment or telemedicine in general, contact us at one of our CareOne Internal Medicine and Primary Care locations in Houston or Katy, Texas.
