Virtual Doctors’ Appointments from the Comfort, Safety of Home

As the situation involving COVID-19 began to unfold, delivery of care evolved. In an effort to keep patients, caregivers and the community safe, physicians began offering virtual appointments to their patients, when clinically appropriate.

 

“Telemedicine is more important than ever,” says Daniel Edelman, D.O., Chief Medical Information Officer for Cleveland Clinic Florida. “From everything that we’ve experienced, telemedicine allows us to talk to our patients, to give them what they need and to support them during this time of uncertainty."

 

Patients who qualify are able to connect with their provider remotely for their appointment using either Google Duo or FaceTime on their smartphone, tablet or computer. They are able to have face-to-face contact with their health care providers from the comfort and safety of their home.

 

Virtual visits are now a viable alternative to an office visit for many patients, according to Joseph Iannotti, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of Staff and Chief Academic and Innovation Officer for Cleveland Clinic Florida.

 

“Telemedicine is here to stay as one way to receive care and its technology and usefulness will only get better and more user friendly,” said Dr. Iannotti.

 

Telemedicine visits have been available from some health providers for nearly a decade but infrequently used, according to Dr. Iannotti. Most providers and patients were not familiar with this option and reluctant to adopt the technology for health care. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the stay at home recommendations both providers and patients adopted this option and both have found it to be a very positive and useful way of getting health care.

 

Office visits and physical exams will still be necessary in some situations, however.

 

“Telehealth visits can be most helpful when the diagnosis and treatment recommendations are primarily dependent upon diagnostic testing that is already available and taking a good history from the patient,” said Dr. Iannotti. “They are less helpful when the diagnosis and recommendations are dependent upon a physical exam performed by the doctor.”

 

Karen Schlitt, 74, believes this is going to be the appointment of the future.

 

Schlitt was not feeling well and called to request her first virtual visit at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health. Because she is at higher risk for contracting COVID-19, she had reservations about going into the office. Her physician was able to meet with her over FaceTime to discuss Schlitt’s health. She was immediately impressed by the experience.

 

“Loved it,” she said. “I think that if anyone hasn’t tried this, they should. This is the future of medicine.”