Why and When to Consider a Virtual Appointment

Do you skip going to the doctor because you find it inconvenient? Are you worried you might get sick or get someone else sick when visiting the doctor’s office? Then you might want to consider a virtual appointment.

With advances in telecommunication technology, seeing your health care provider by telemedicine is becoming more mainstream. 

At East Side Primary Medical Care, we provide comprehensive primary care services for our patients who live in and around our office on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Our primary care physician, Dr. Daniel Klein, wants to make it as easy as possible for our patients to get the care they need when they need it, which is why we offer virtual visits.

Here, we want to tell you why and when you should consider scheduling a virtual appointment. 

About virtual appointments

Virtual appointments, virtual visits, and telemedicine all mean the same thing: a remote meeting with your health care provider. Instead of coming to the office, you get the care you need by video or phone from a place that’s convenient and comfortable for you. 

All you need is a smartphone, computer, or tablet and an internet connection. You can even meet with your health care provider by phone if a video call isn’t possible.

With a virtual appointment there’s no need to travel to the office, which saves you time and money. 

Virtual appointments: why and when

Virtual appointments may not work for all health issues, but there are many reasons why you should consider seeing your provider remotely. For example, you might benefit from a virtual appointment if you have a hard time getting to the office because of lack of transportation. Or, you're too sick to get yourself to the office, but you need medical attention.

You may also want to consider virtual appointments if your work or family schedule makes it hard for you to get to the office. With virtual appointments, there’s no need to take a lot of time off from work or find a sitter to take care of your kids.

Virtual appointments also make a convenient option for follow-up visits if you have a chronic health condition like diabetes or high blood pressure. Many home blood glucose monitors and blood pressure machines allow you to send your data electronically to us so we can look at your numbers, talk to you about your health condition, and make updates to your plan as needed.

You may also consider a virtual appointment if you need a medication refill. 

What to expect

Like any visit with us, what happens during your virtual appointment depends on the reason for your visit. However, you can expect a thorough, patient-centered evaluation. 

Dr. Klein only requests your visit take place in a quiet, well-lit area so he can clearly hear and see you. Once you explain your health concern, Dr. Klein asks detailed questions to make sure he fully understands what’s going on so he can provide the right care.

He then makes recommendations, which may include lifestyle modifications and medications to treat your symptoms or condition. In some cases, we may request an in-office visit if we need more information that we can’t get through a virtual visit, such as a diagnostic test.

There are many reasons to consider a virtual appointment. If you have a health concern and can’t get to the office, now is a good time to schedule a virtual visit. Call our office or book your telemedicine appointment online today.