5 Reasons to Consider Telemedicine – and When You Need In-Person Care

Many doctors offer telemedicine as part of their practice to allow people access to care even when they can’t get to the office. After the COVID pandemic, telemedicine took off as an option that allowed people to get medical care without leaving their homes.

However, telemedicine does have its limitations, and sometimes you need to see your doctor in person for the best care. Dr. Jeff Toll provides in-person primary care and telemedicine to his patients in his membership program.

Dr. Toll is an experienced internal medicine doctor who offers his clients a membership that includes telehealth, concierge care, and chronic care management.

Reasons to consider telemedicine

Telemedicine opens up medical care to people who normally wouldn’t be able to come in for a visit. It reaches people who are far from a practice or who may be too sick to make the drive.

Here are some of the many reasons to consider telemedicine for you or your loved ones:

1. Convenience

The convenience of telemedicine makes it extremely attractive to people who don’t want to travel to the doctor. It also eliminates exposure to other sick patients in the waiting room, keeping you from getting sick.

2. Efficiency

The efficiency of telemedicine care is just as good as in-person care for most people. It reduces wait times and gives you ample opportunity to discuss medications or treatments over the phone or via video chat.

3. Accessibility

Many people don’t have direct access to care, especially those who live far from the nearest facility. Telemedicine gives them the option of a phone call or video chat to discuss urgent or routine medical needs.

4. Reduced costs

Driving to the doctor and back costs more than just the office visit. It also costs gas money and can get pricey with specialist visits. Telemedicine reduces unnecessary costs and gives you direct access to care from the convenience of your home.

5. Improved health outcomes

Having direct access with a single click significantly improves health outcomes. It allows us to create a multidisciplinary approach between primary care and specialities, giving you better options and closer monitoring.

When to use telemedicine

Telemedicine isn’t always the right choice, and it’s important to know when to use it and when to come in for an appointment. We can handle the following through our telemedicine service:

• Renewing prescription medications
• Post-operative follow-ups
• Test result review
• Nutritional counseling or wellness questions
• Specialist consultations
• Counseling sessions and therapy consultations
• Chronic care management check-ins
• Minor infectious illnesses

If you’re not sure whether to use telemedicine or come in, you can give us a call so we can direct you to the best option for your care.

Is in-person care better?

One is not better than the other, but in some instances in-person care is warranted over a telehealth visit. It’s important to know when a trip to the office is necessary and when a phone call will do.

An in-person visit is necessary when you require a physical exam. For instance, if we need to check your blood pressure or listen to your heart or lungs, an office visit is a better option for an accurate diagnosis and care.

It’s also essential to come in for emergent situations, like where you need imaging studies or blood work. Coming into the office is the choice after an accident, during a significant illness, or if you have broken bones or other acute injuries.

In-person care is also crucial for complex situations and comprehensive care so that we can build a relationship with you. At the same time, we manage chronic illnesses and learn more about your needs.

To learn more about our membership program and telemedicine, call or message our Los Angeles, California, office today to discover how we can support you in person and remotely.