TeleHealth and Medicine

Telehealth

Telehealth became an easy way to see your doctor when COVID-19 became a real issue.  Telehealth is defined as the delivery of health care at a distance through technology.  During the pandemic, patients found themselves afraid to leave their homes. Those suffering with chronic illness had even more concern with travel.  Doctors and clinic managers found themselves using a technology most had never used before.  The telehealth visit became necessary as some doctors were told they could not see patients unless it was a medical emergency. The insurance industry had to adapt to the need and allow this as a paid service throughout the country. It was during this time patients discovered the value of not traveling out to the doctor for routine visits.  There was no parking, no travel time or sitting in a lobby full of other sick people.  They could still see their doctor and receive their routine medications from the comfort of home.  For some this was a bit of a learning curve as it was necessary to have internet access, an electronic device for video and the ability to give an electronic signature.  It has become an important part of the health care industry.  As of 2020, 76% of hospitals in the US were using telehealth to connect doctors to their patients.  In 2021, 37% of adults used telemedicine. As of 2023, 56% of hospitals and 70% of practices will be more focused on sustaining their telehealth capabilities.

I have personally used this service over the last couple of years with one of my own doctors. Typically a trip to my gastroenterologist would take a 30 minute drive, sometimes a long wait at the office and another 30 minute drive home.  This would exhaust an entire morning.  Now I log on to my hospital app, click on my telehealth appointment and within 10 minutes I am speaking with the doctor.  The visit will usually last 30 minutes, and unless there is a complicated factor the whole visit is complete. My wife has utilized telehealth for familiar, uncomplicated problems which may require a previously used medication.  This is a very efficient way to be seen by a health care professional for things that do not require a trip to urgent care or a scheduled visit with a PCP.

Telehealth has its advantages for you.  It is cost effective and may help in situations where your mobility is an issue.  If you live in a rural area this may be the only way to see a doctor.  If your problems do not fall in between office hours, telehealth is also a quick way to be seen without waiting for an appointment.  There are wearable devices that can record a multitude of vital statistics from blood pressure to your amount of sleep at night.  It also can make it possible to care for older adults at home keeping track of their caloric intake, sleep and medications remotely.  Telehealth isn’t for every visit.  If imaging is required, blood work or a diagnosis which requires hands on treatment, then an office visit would be required.  Chambers Medical Group has continued to offer telehealth services for unique circumstances where a patient cannot make it into the clinic.  Whether by smart phones or land line phones telehealth will be an available service for you.

 This article is written by Aaron Workman, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Kentucky.

Have you been in a car accident? If you or somebody you know has been in a car accident, be sure that you seek medical attention from a car accident doctor or car accident chiropractor to treat your injuries. Visit Chambers Medical Group  to receive world-class medical treatment for your injuries.

Chambers Medical Group has car accident medical clinics in the following locations:

• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Tampa
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Plant City
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Brandon
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Lakeland
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Sarasota
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Louisville
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Lexington
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Florence