Telehealth

What is telehealth?

Telehealth is a variety of health care that doesn’t require you to go to the office, even if you have an appointment. Instead, you can get in contact with your physician using high-definition video and audio communications on a phone, tablet, or computer. These visits are remote, meaning you can log in from your home, hotel room, workplace, or any other setting of your choice. 

Meanwhile, your physician is in the office for your telehealth visit. A lot of the visit is similar to an office visit. For example, your physician updates and reviews your medical history and asks detailed questions about any symptoms, side effects, or concerns you have. You also get the opportunity to ask questions of your own throughout the appointment. 

Telehealth can also involve supportive services that help streamline your care. For example, the team might ask you to record and upload measurements of your blood pressure or blood sugar, or track your weight between office visits if you’re on a physician-supervised weight loss plan. 

When can I use telehealth?

There are many services you can access with telehealth instead of an office visit. While you should still come in for certain medical tests like X-rays and bloodwork, and for in-office procedures like injections, you can use telehealth for:

• Medication management
• Chronic disease management
• Mental health assessments
• Prescription refills
• Weight loss follow-ups 
• Follow-up visits after treatments
• Basic physical exams

Your physician might tell you to come in for an initial in-person examination so they can offer more effective and precise care with telehealth for future visits. 

What are the benefits of telehealth?

Telehealth offers plenty of benefits that make the option appealing to many patients at Akachi Primary and Urgent Care. Your physician lets you know if telehealth is an option for any given visit or service that you need. With telehealth, you can enjoy:

• Full confidentiality
• No travel costs
• No travel time
• No time spent in the waiting room
• The ability to see your physician when you’re out of town
• No risk of transmitting a contagious illness to others
• No risk of catching a contagious illness in the office

Telehealth visits are especially beneficial for certain populations, including pregnant women, the elderly, people who are immunocompromised, those with small children, and anyone with an excessively busy or unpredictable schedule. 

You might be able to take advantage of telehealth for your next follow-up visit. To book a telehealth visit, schedule online or call Akachi Primary and Urgent Care for an appointment now.