Providers and Patients Alike Embracing Telemedicine, During the Pandemic and Beyond
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As many Americans remained at home this spring to minimize the spread of the coronavirus, a number of medical appointments were postponed or canceled, but not all. In fact, the reliance on telemedicine appointments skyrocketed with healthcare providers across the country, and Thompson Health was no exception.
All three of Thompson’s urgent care locations are now accepting not only walk-in appointments but also telemedicine appointments, via either telephone or video conferencing.
In addition, each of Thompson’s primary care sites are offering telemedicine options now that many insurers are covering the visits. Some of Thompson’s Rehabilitation Services appointments, Pain Management appointments, Gastroenterology and General Surgery consults can now be handled via telemedicine as well.
According to the Practice Management Department at Thompson, during a seven-week period beginning April 1, there were 8,901 telemedicine visits for Internal Medicine, Family Practice and Pediatrics, versus 4,767 in-person appointments.
“Telemedicine has many benefits and is a very efficient way to provide certain types of medical care to patients. It can be used for simple, acute care of minor respiratory illnesses, skin conditions, injuries and medication management as well as monitoring chronic disease and reviewing laboratory data,” said Dr. Robert L. Smith of Finger Lakes Family Care, one of Thompson’s primary care locations.
Dr. Smith has been an active telemedicine consultant for 14 years but his Canandaigua office was not able to embrace it until the insurance coverage changed in March.
He said that not only does telemedicine allow the patient to remain at home and make more efficient use of their time, but also it is especially beneficial currently because it allows doctors’ offices to socially distance patients, with fewer patients seen in person. “It also offers the possibility of screening sick patients at home and treating possible COVID-19 patients without risking them infecting healthcare workers or other patients,” he said.
Susan Babcock of Victor experienced her first telemedicine appointment this past spring, with Dr. Kipling Goh of Thompson’s Canandaigua Medical Group. It was a routine check-up and she found it far more convenient than an in-person visit and something she would happily do again.
“It was very comfortable and thorough,” she said. “He answered my questions and I felt I got as much as I’d get if I went to the office other than I didn’t get weighed. That didn’t break my heart!”
According to Dr. Smith, who is overseeing Thompson’s increasing use of telemedicine as Chief of Outpatient Medicine, Babcock is just one of many patients finding they like having the option – when appropriate – of receiving medical care via telephone or video conferencing.
“Patients LOVE telemedicine! Bottom line. The genie is out of the bottle now and I do not see it going away, ever.” he said.
For information on new phone and video options for patients, visit www.ThompsonHealth.com/telehealth