The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is impacting communities across the country. Many health care practices are turning to telehealth—the convergence of telecommunication (phone calls, video chats, text messages) and health—to help suppress the spread of the virus while providing their patients with quality health care.
How does telehealth work?
Telehealth connects patients with providers through a variety of methods.
Phone & Video
Though it’s always great to meet your healthcare professional in person, many patient visits do not need face-to-face visits in order for an evaluation, diagnosis or treatment recommendation to be made.
Video visits allow you to see a professional from the comfort of your own home and occur using a private video chat portal. These are becoming increasingly commonplace and even allow patients to show their provider visual symptoms via their phone or computer’s camera.
Phone appointments are ideal for follow-up visits with your medical provider. They are just as effective as an in-person visit and can make it possible to speak to a healthcare professional even if you do not have an internet connection or video-supported device.
If you or your provider feel you need an evaluation in person, that can be scheduled for a later date.
Remote Programming
Some of today’s new hearing devices allow for remote programming adjustments. Depending on the model of your hearing aid, adjustments to frequency, loudness, and other settings may be carried out by your provider during an e-visit. Contact us to find out of if your hearing aid model supports this feature.
Hearing Aid Drop Off
If you have a hearing device that is not equipped with remote programming or you need a simple repair, we may still be able to help. Contact our office ahead of time and arrange a time to drop your hearing aids off. For minor repairs, we will make every attempt to service them on site while you wait in your car.
What do patients think of telemedicine?
Patients and providers agree on the benefits of virtual care.
According to the Deloitte 2018 Surveys of US Health Care Consumers and Physicians, the top three benefits of telemedicine are:
- Improved patient access to care
- Improved patient satisfaction
- Staying connected with patients and their caregivers
Does telehealth offer any additional benefits?
In addition to providing you with uninterrupted care, telemedicine offers a number of additional benefits, including:
- Eliminating transportation cost
- Decreasing need to take time off work
- Improving access to specialists
- Reducing the chance of catching illnesses
- Shortening waiting room times
Can you take advantage of telemedicine?
Current patients are able to continue receiving follow-up care while new patients can complete their initial visit and begin seeking treatment. Many assessments can be performed during a virtual doctor visit.
We are here to support you during these difficult times. Contact Valley Audiology today to learn more about what telehealth services we offer or to schedule an appointment.
