The Many Benefits of Telemedicine
Many Americans either don't live close to a doctor's office or health care facility, don't have transportation, or are experiencing a crisis that prevents them from physically going to a doctor's office. Currently, even in areas where access is normally easy, many health care providers have closed their offices to all but emergency cases. What does that mean for those who need regular health care?
At Dupont Private Health in Washington, DC, Jean Ann Beaton, MD is working to find ways to help patients in need of care. Telemedicine is one such method. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), telehealth setups can help protect vulnerable populations and improve health outcomes.
Telemedicine basics
One in five Americans lives in rural areas, meaning they would have to travel as far as 200 miles to find a doctor’s office. Telemedicine was originally conceived as a way to reach these patients. Today, telehealth is on the rise, thanks to videoconferencing technology that allows doctors to see their patients and discuss their issues face-to-face, digitally.
Video, phone, and other forms of communication technology are now being used to treat the hundreds of thousands of Americans who may need non-emergency care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if you are sheltering in place in your home, you can still make a virtual appointment with your doctor.
The telemedicine process
Telemedicine is one facet of e-health. It’s the term used to specifically describe virtual visits between patients and medical providers, using communications technology. Audio, video, and file-sharing can be used to help patients and doctors understand each other, and telemedicine allows doctors to make diagnoses and prescribe certain treatments or medications remotely.
Dr. Beaton can consult with you using a video conferencing platform, look at your files, view any physical symptoms you have, and then direct your care. You’ll never even have to leave your house. If your health care needs to be urgently seen in a medical facility, Dr. Beaton can help you access that care safely from the appropriate location in your area.
Benefits of telemedicine
There are many benefits to telemedicine. With remote medical management and a centralized e-health plan, you can:
Attend your medical visits virtually, if it’s convenient and there’s no physical reason to be in the office
Receive timely care, as wait times for telemedicine appointments are often shorter than those for in-office appointments
Avoid hours spent on a commute to a doctor's office you don’t know and trust.
Jean Ann Beaton, MD, offers telemedicine visits to help you take care of many of your essential health needs. Call today at (202)-978-6071 or click here to learn more about the potential of telemedicine.
