Virtual Visits: When Should You Use Them?

Jul 6, 2022 | Health Care

Healthcare has always meant a trip to the doctor’s office. Long lines, sticky chairs, and the sneezing of patients fill our memories.

COVID-19 has dramatically expanded the use of telemedicine, with patients needing to get treatment remotely due to the pandemic.

Can a virtual visit with your physician be as effective as an in-person one?

Getting treatment online can be a little different than in person. But the level of care you receive will remain the same.

Virtual visits are high quality, and not every doctor’s appointment can be done virtually, but you’d be surprised how many types of doctor’s appointments can be handled virtually.

An internet connection and a device with audio-video capabilities, such as a tablet or computer, are all you need.

At NP2GO Clinic, we offer convenient virtual care visits in Oklahoma and its environs any time, day or night, or when your primary care is unavailable. Whether you need treatment for flu, fevers, migraines, or allergies, our team is available Monday to Friday from 9 AM -7 PM to help you.

In this article, we will help you know when to use a virtual visit, how you can prepare for a virtual visit, and what conditions we treat via virtual visits.

When Should You Use a Virtual Visit?

You might use virtual visits in a variety of ways. You live far away from the doctor’s office, need to order medications, have difficulty traveling for an in-person appointment, or want to stay a safer distance from other people.

Here are more reasons why tele-health or virtual visits may be a great option:

  • You’re responsible for children or the elderly.
  • You feel too sick to leave your home
  • You’re on vacation
  • You need to know your lab results
  • You can’t take time off work
  • You want to save money on healthcare
  • Your doctor’s office is closed

Virtual care services have certain limitations, just like any technology, and they should not be a substitute for an in-person doctor’s appointment.

Many factors can prevent patients from receiving a thorough examination or a correct diagnosis, including poor internet connections, low-quality cameras, and physical separation from healthcare professionals.

Therefore, it’s essential to understand which conditions need more advanced care. If you are in any of the following situations, you should contact emergency services instead of tele-health:

  • Life-threatening conditions such as cancer, signs of heart attack or stroke
  • Seizures
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Broken bones, sprains, or injuries that need bandaging
  • If you need a hands-on exam
  • Conditions that need a lab test or x-ray
  • Chronic conditions

At NP2GO Virtual Clinic, we treat patients with high risk for COVID-19 (Anyone who is elderly, pregnant, or immunocompromised) with Paxlovid, an oral antiviral pill that can be taken at home to help keep high-risk patients from getting so sick to be hospitalized.

Virtual care can improve your health tremendously, despite its limitations. Embrace this technology and consult your healthcare professional to see what suits your needs.

What Conditions Can You Treat Via Virtual Visit?

Virtual visits can be used for a wide range of health services. Primary care providers may use telemedicine to treat the following conditions:

  • Pink eye
  • Cough
  • Medicine refills
  • Bladder/urinary tract infection
  • Rash
  • Bronchitis
  • Coughing
  • Migraine/headache
  • Seasonal flu
  • Abdominal pain
  • Allergies
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomachache
  • Yeast infection
  • Fever
  • Seasonal flu
  • Sinus problem
  • Sore throat
  • Mental Health Concerns

Additionally, our qualified healthcare professionals can prescribe medications to help you get to wellness – no need to visit an urgent care center for the prescription! The medication will be delivered to your local pharmacy for easy and convenient pickup.

How Do You Prepare for a Virtual Visit?

Most virtual visits will include video. This will require either a smartphone, a tablet, or a computer with an internet connection and audio-video capabilities.

Write down your medical history and any medications you may be taking (or gather the actual bottles). If your doctor requests your weight, temperature, or blood pressure, ensure they are ready.

List down your questions, symptoms, changes in your health, behavior, or concerns you want to discuss with your provider. Have everything at hand during your virtual visit.

Remember, the answers to your questions guide your next steps.Be sure you can communicate clearly. If you have difficulty hearing or speaking clearly, let the healthcare provider know ahead of time so they can prepare any necessary equipment or supplies.

You can also ask if a native speaker of your language is available if English is not your first language. Alternatively, you can ask a trusted family member or friend to translate for you.

If you drink alcohol, smoke, misuse substances, have been involved in domestic violence, have past surgeries, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, let your doctor know before your appointment.

If they need to see whether there is a problem with any part of your anatomy that could affect how you feel during the appointment, having this information will help them provide a more accurate diagnosis.

It’s also essential to reduce background noise. Having a lot of people in the house can present a challenge! If possible, arrange a quiet activity for the kids in a separate room and ask other adults to keep their voices low.

Book a Virtual Visit at Oklahoma

NP2GO Clinic is here for you. We know our people need convenient and safe access to care ─ now more than ever. Patients can now see a licensed healthcare professional from the comfort of their home with secure video conferencing.

We offer various virtual visits. This includes medicine refills, follow-ups, pre-and post-operational care, triage visits, pre-visit information sessions, and medication reviews.

When you’re under the weather, we’re here for you. NP2GO Clinic offers Virtual Visits on-demand 24/7. We give you the care you need for common conditions such as:

  • Cough, seasonal flu, and sinus problems
  • Burns, sprains, bruises, insect bites, and cuts
  • Hives, pink eye, and rash
  • Yeast infections, diarrhea, stomachaches, and urinary tract infections
  • Fever, sore throats, and allergies
  • Medicine refills, medication reviews, and prescriptions

All you need is your phone, tablet, or computer and an internet connection, and you’ll be connected with a highly qualified provider. Virtual visits are available to anyone in Oklahoma areas–Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Edmond, Nichols Hills, Bethany, Yukon, Mustang, Jenks, Bixby, Owasso, and Kansa, among others.

It’s Simple

With just five simple steps, NP2GO Virtual Visits make taking care of you and your family easier.

  1. Before the appointment, we’ll send you a personalized link by email or text.
  2. We use Jane App, a HIPAA-compliant tele-health platform, so you’ll need to set Chrome as your default web browser. You can also use iPhone or iPad by following these instructions.
  3. We will send you an Appointment Reminder email 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
  4. Click the button at the bottom of the email to begin.
  5. Connect with a highly qualified provider and get you and your family to enjoy our virtual visit health benefits.

The average visit with one of our providers lasts about 10 minutes. Our experts will review your medical history and answer any questions you may have. You’ll get a diagnosis and treatment instructions in a matter of minutes.

If you’re using the app, make sure it has access to your camera and microphone. Make sure to test your computer settings if you’re connecting via desktop.

Now that you know when to use virtual visits, you may be wondering how to schedule a virtual appointment. Luckily, it’s just as easy as booking an in-person visit.

At NP2 GOClinic, we provide various services through our virtual appointments, and we’re looking forward to meeting with you and seeing how we can help. Book a virtual appointment with us today. Or call us at 405-696-7003 with any concerns or questions.