Covid-19 has considerably changed the way people live their day to day lives. Many are concerned about going into a doctor’s office or leaving their homes at all. People still need access to medical care and need an effective and appropriate way to speak with their healthcare provider during a pandemic. In many instances, telehealth visits can bridge that gap.
Although telemedicine was first available in the 1960’s, it has exploded across the country in the past year. Initially, it was meant for patients living in very rural areas who did not have available healthcare locally. Now, with the Covid-19 pandemic, many offices including Palm Beach Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists, offer telehealth visits to most patients.
For a telehealth visit to be successful, you will receive an email with a link to access the system. You must have a device that is compatible (computer, smartphone, tablet, etc) and you must enable the audio and video settings appropriately. If you have difficulty managing your device, you may want to arrange for a family member to join you to make sure everything goes smoothly. You will need BOTH audio and video capability for the visit. You will want to schedule the visit during a time that you can be in a quiet place so both you and the provider can hear each other and you will be able to have a meaningful visit.
If you use an insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor, you will want to make sure our office has access to these downloads prior to your visit. Be prepared with a list of questions and concerns. Make sure you have a current medication list with names and exact dosages. If you will be requesting medication refills, make sure you have your pharmacy name AND phone number available.
Maintaining regular follow-up visits is important to your health!! If you are unable to come into the office for your scheduled visit due to illness, covid-19 exposure, etc., please contact us to see if you are eligible for a telehealth visit!!