



The possibility of real-time multidisciplinary care.Virtual care may also allow more frequent check-ins to monitor progress and reassess health goals. When the nearest doctor is hours away, virtual checkups can provide a way to receive high-quality medical care that might not otherwise happen. Not having to travel to the doctor's office, deal with parking, or sit in a waiting room (with other patients who may be sick) is a big deal. Of course, if a routine visit becomes non-routine - for instance, a screening test shows a concerning abnormality - or if new and bothersome symptoms develop between visits, a traditional in-person visit would likely be the best next step. Specialty care, such as a cardiologist or lung expert, might be included if needed. This might include a nutritionist, pharmacist, physical therapist, and mental health expert. A multidisciplinary video visit that gives you the opportunity to connect with multiple providers.A phone or video call followed by an in-person physical examination at a clinical center where - with your permission - a nurse or physician's assistant can examine you as your doctor supervises through a video link.

Afterwards, your doctor can order screening tests and plan to review the results by mail, email, or another phone call. A phone or video call to review symptoms and discuss healthcare goals.That leads me to wonder: now that healthcare providers' offices are largely open again, will we all go back to routine in-person visits each year? Or, might your annual check-up include virtual options, such as one or more of these approaches: So, some people can manage elements of their annual checkup at home, without actually seeing their doctor. Home monitoring of health, such as blood pressure checks or wearable gadgets to monitor heart rate, has become more common and less expensive. These telehealth alternatives worked for many people. But as it became clear the pandemic would continue dragging on, phone and video-based medical care became a logical alternative to in-person care. for some, the "laying on of hands" - the physical connection of the examination itself - may be particularly powerful.ĭuring the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, many doctors' offices were closed, so there was little choice but to delay non-urgent medical appointments.a strong relationship can make it easier to share sensitive, but important, health information in the future.
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the reassurance value of spending time with a trusted health professional who is focused on your health and how to maintain it.Yet a recent review suggest routine medical visits may lead to detection of chronic disease (such as high blood pressure), response to risk factors (such as lowering cholesterol to prevent cardiovascular problems), and higher rates of recommended screening (such as colonoscopy).Īnd there may be other, hard-to-measure benefits: Its value is probably especially limited for young, healthy individuals. Questioning the annual wellness check or routine physical examĪn annual checkup doesn't seem to move the needle on a few important measures, such as deaths, strokes, and heart attacks. But research suggests its value varies for adults. The yearly routine doctor visit is a ritual going back decades. Before the pandemic, did you see your doctor for a yearly appointment even if you were feeling well?
