Need to see a doctor during quarantine? Virtual healthcare could be the answer

The coronavirus has affected hundreds of thousands of people in the United States thus far. As a result, many Americans have responded by social distancing and staying at home.

As hospitals and medical centers make way for those affected and patients struggling with other serious illnesses, there are people who still need access to medical attention and resources.

Remote, virtual healthcare has become part of that solution.

Healthcare providers are able to accommodate patients in a variety of ways, and aim to see and treat patients when and where it's most convenient and safest for them. One of these ways is by offering virtual visits for both adult and pediatric primary and specialty care.

With the majority of Americans now owning smartphones and other devices that are wired for streaming high-quality video, this opens up the capability of practices to deliver remote healthcare. Healthcare is embracing the data and digital technology to transition into this new model of care for patients, which is especially pertinent given current statewide stay-at-home orders.

Medical providers know there are people in the community with healthcare needs not related to coronavirus, and want to do all they can to help keep patients healthy and well during this time.

Seeing a provider virtually allows you to seek care from the comfort and safety of your own home. This limits the interaction of actually going into the office, which can help protect you from being exposed, as well as help protect others from possible exposure.

"With virtual care abilities, patients can stay home to decrease their own risk of transmission. This helps us decrease community transmission, helps us decrease the risk to healthcare providers, and it decreases the use of personal protective equipment, which is critical for our hospitals and our healthcare providers right now when supplies are low nationwide," said Dr. Seth Brody, vice president of Physician Services at WakeMed.

WakeMed currently offers virtual visits for patients with an array of medical needs and concerns.

Of course, in-person visits are still available for emergent and other health needs that cannot be handled virtually.

Virtual visits make it easy to access care from a board-certified provider via a real-time video appointment from the comfort of your own home. As North Carolina responds to COVID-19, these virtual visits are especially convenient and allow patients to get the care they need when they need it.

The benefits of virtual healthcare visits include:

Providers are even able to prescribe medicine by sending your prescriptions electronically to the pharmacy of your choice.

There are different types of virtual visits available. For patients experiencing mild symptoms from a possible COVID-19 infection (fever or cough), Virtual Urgent Care plays the role of initial contact with patients and can help determine if additional care is necessary. This also limits the risk of further spreading the infection within practices, clinics and hospitals.

Virtual Urgent Care can also provide immediate care for things like eye infections, insect bites, abdominal cramping and upper-respiratory issues.

Primary Care can provide secondary care via virtual visits for everything from minor ailments, such as seasonal allergies and colds, to managing more complex issues like depression and anxiety, high blood pressure, chronic disease medication and management, and mood and depression assistance.

Specialty practices can provide even more specific care via virtual visits for things like orthopaedic issues, weight loss, heart and vascular disease, ENT concerns, as well as many pediatric services.