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Life isn’t an easy task, but you knew that already. There are always new challenges being thrown at us, and nothing slows us down from completing those challenges quite like unexpected illnesses. Just when you need things to be calm the most, an unexpected fever or sore throat can really throw a wrench in your plans.
If you are parenting young children, it can become a perpetual cycle of them having a cold or runny nose. For low-level issues like a sore throat runny nose or cough, we often know what is needed to treat the child medically, but we still need a doctor to ask the right questions and ensure that we aren’t missing the signs or symptoms of something more serious. Yet trying to schedule with a doctor is not always convenient for our schedule.
Sometimes a fever pops up in the middle of the night or on a weekend when a provider is not available. Sometimes we can’t get there because of transportation issues. In those moments when we need access to care that can jump over all of these barriers, telemedicine provides a handy solution.
What is telehealth?
It is a way for you to see the doctor from the convenience of your own home. Through these services, you can ask questions directly to your doctor, or even “see” the doctor through video conferencing for an appointment.
It is a whole new world for taking care of our physical and mental health. Through the power of the internet, we can take the big hassle out of little medical issues. Are you curious about telehealth? Here are 5 reasons why you might want to give it a try.
Easy solution for simple health issues
Certain conditions require a doctor’s touch, even if you already know what the problem is. For instance, if you have ever had a sinus infection, you know what a sinus infection is like. You can describe those symptoms correctly to your doctor and get your medication and move on.
But the drive to the doctor, the inconvenient scheduling, and the wait in the waiting room is a lot to ask of someone who already feels lousy. Telehealth allows you to skip the line and rest until it is time to meet the doctor.
Convenient follow up and advice
A follow-up is rarely longer than 5-10 minutes with the doctor.
If you have ever had to leave home or work to take an hour or more for a 5-10 minute appointment, you know very well how annoying it can be. Doing a follow-up appointment via telehealth is so much easier.
Telehealth is great for simple med checks
People with chronic conditions take the same medications for extended periods of time. Those extended periods of time often call for monitoring of their symptoms and any side effects that could be caused by their medications. Because of that, a person might follow up with their doctor as often as monthly depending on what the medications are.
Just like a regular follow-up, these are brief appointments that can consume a great deal of unnecessary time when the doctor could instead meet up with you for a few minutes in a video conference, confirm your wellness, and let you enjoy your day.
Bad weather isn’t a barrier
Being ill is already no fun, but illness during severe weather is more than an inconvenience, it can actually be dangerous for us. The option to see a doctor via telehealth can keep us safe in our homes when inclement weather makes it too dangerous for us to travel.
Flexible schedules for odd times of day
Illness isn’t particular about what time it strikes. If you or one of your children becomes sick over a weekend, it is likely that you won’t be able to get a doctor’s appointment until the next week begins.
With telehealth, many doctors are available during the night and weekend hours when regular doctors are not accessible. That flexibility allows you greater access to medical care, regardless of the time.
Another alternative would be to google “urgent care near me” and see what pops up as these locations often have extended hours and doctors on-call.
If you have never tried telehealth, you will be surprised at the convenience it provides to you. When you aren’t having to spend unnecessary time on appointments, go out in inclement weather or wait until the week to solve a health issue that began on the weekend, you’ll see the difference. Using telehealth is one of those modern innovations that just makes sense.
Have you ever had an urgent care telehealth appointment?
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
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This is a really good idea. Especially if you have little ones!
Yes, being able to talk to a doctor any time of day when your child is sick is so convenient.
A cool thing to consider.. definitely lots of options now with the improving technologies. Flexibility is important especially when it comes to someone’s health
Flexible healthcare is so important with how busy everyone is these days.
I do like video doctor as I hate having to wait at the doctors. Now that the urgent cares near me need appointments the video doctor is better for me.
what a convenient technology to have! can you imagine the time can one save avoiding traffic!
I have heard about telehealth in the western countries, but I am not sure we have it here yet in Singapore. I can imagine how convenient it is to be able to consult a medical professional online for simple cases. When I was sick, all I want to do is to lay down on the bed. Not to get dress, to commute, and to wait in line at the hospital.
i’m lucky that my health provider does a lot by email and phone calls. I can even make a phone appointment which is super convenient!
It’s very good to hear that there are some available technologies that we can use to get the help that we need immediately. This sounds really convenient for a mom like me.
My parent friends would definitely enjoy this read. I will recommend this content to them. Thank you for sharing!
I did not know this kind of service that can really and deeply help.
Yes, this is definitely a great idea to get the medical attention you need without leaving home or even spreading colds and flu in the waiting room of the doctor’s office.
This would be so awesome to have. My son has ADHD and we have to go through a call center just to schedule an appointment for him or to get his medication and it could take a while for anything to be scheduled to get it.
Wow good know about this… I never k ew about this… would definitely love to share this post 😊👍🏼
Video doctors are so convenient – as I hate having to wait at the doctors – especially during peak hours.
Hello,
Thanks for sharing. I always wanted to try this, but I’m very skeptical. However you made some pretty valid points. I think I’m gonna give it a try and see how i feel about it.
I didn’t know this kind of service existed! How convenient! There are so many urgent care locations popping up nowadays, but even they can get crowded and cause you to take more time away from work than you intended. This sounds like a great way to seek treatment!
I know what you mean. I see urgent treatment centers everywhere too. Telehealth, however, allows you to get treated at home which is awesome.
A telehealth service can be so convinient indeed! I haven’t had to experince the service yet but it’s something I wouldn’t mind considering. Especially in the cold months.
It def would come in handy when you are snowed in!
I have never heard of Telehealth before, but I am really interested in it now for my family. Sometimes my kids will have a minor issue, and it would be great to talk to a doctor from the convenience of my own home.
Yes, telehealth is great, especially for parents. Kids come up with all kinds of minor issues.
I have never heard of telehealth service before . This would be great for the busy and those who don’t like to venture out into a bad weather day.
Yes! Telehealth is a big time saver and super convenient.
I have never tries it before, but I would. Thanks for this post.
I’m glad to hear you are willing to try a telehealth service. I bet you would love it!
This sounds very interesting. It sound great and I would like to check into it some more. Thank you for sharing.
This seems really cool and convenient. I might try this one day
Telehealth is def worth trying especially if you love convenience.
I really like this idea because I live so far out in the sticks, an hour away from my (or any) doctor, that this would be a great way to do most of my appointments with him.
Oh so very true, Dawn. Telehealth is great for people who live in the country and have to drive a ton to see a doctor. It would make things so much easier.
I have never tried it. This is becoming more common & definitely another valuable tool for busy people. Thanks for sharing this with us.
It is a great tool for busy people!
I have never used telehealth systems. I have seen them advertised, and would be interested in using it if my doctor participated.
I wish my doctor had this option too!
I have never tried this service before. I would be open to trying it if I heard good things about it
I’m sure over the next few years telehealth will become more and more popular with how tech advances.
This is a great concept, especially for when moms get sick. You know that when mom comes down with something, it’s always 100x worse than what everyone else in the house got. And it’s almost impossible to drag little ones out when you already feel like crud, just to get seen by a doctor.
I totally know what you mean. I was sick for almost two weeks last month. Not fun at all!!
I have never tried it before. I would totally be open to it.
I hope you get the chance to try a telehealth service one day!
I have never tried anything like this before. It seems good I would try it
It would sure come in handy when you are sick but not so sick!
Living in a rural area I am impressed with Telehealth. Sometimes a common cold does not warrant a 25 mile trip to town.
That’s so true. Some illnesses just don’t require an in-office visit.
I have not tried a telehealth service before, but definitely would. It sounds perfect for busy moms like me.
You’re telling me. I would love to do this for my kids well appointments!
Usually when very ill with influenza and bronchitis the last thing I want to do is drag myself in the ice, cold and snow to the doctors office waiting room so this would be great.
And it’s often awful traveling by car when you are ill too. Just makes you feel worse.
I have not tried this before.
I am not sure that I would but it might be a good thing because then you can stay at home and have your own Home Visit by a doctors.
It’s a great service, of course, it depends on what kind of sick you are.
I never try it but since I read your post, I’m interested to try it myself. After all, health is our top priority 🙂
Staying healthy should be everyone’s top priority!
I have tried a telehealth service – it’s vague but I mean what can you do without actually seeing someone but they did help me convince my Mom to go to a Dr’s. That was a great help.
Mishelle
True, with some illnesses you really need to be there in person so they can look over your body.
Yes, I would love to give this a try. In fact, at my next Dr. appt. I’m going to inquire about this.
Not a lot of doctor’s do this yet but it’s worth asking!
Yeah, I know. I ‘m hoping my doc does, or will be soon. I t would save my husband from having to take a day off work to drive me. (I have seizures and can no longer drive)
I know the service isn’t too popular yet, but more doctors seem to be trying it.
I would definitely consider a telehealth service if they took my insurance. I have some complex health issues that require frequent procedures but for general, minor problems I would be glad to “visit” my G.P. from home. Saves time, & best of all, no exposure to germs , & illness. To someone like me who has compromised immunity that means a lot.
That’s a very good point. It’s an awesome service for those with a low immune system. Doctor offices are so germy. I hope more doctors start offering it!
I think teleheath is a great idea. We cpuld possibly save millionns of dollars having simple conferencing appointment online instead of in person. I would definitely do it.
It would save tons! Especially for those little follow-up appts 🙂
I have never tried a telehealth service. I am really thinking of trying one because I hate going to the doctor.
The doctor isn’t my favorite thing either.
I was aware of telehealth service but I have never tried it, for me it’s new. Maybe if the weather was terrible and I was sick, I would try it, I don’t know, I may just dial 911.
For me, it would depend on what kind of sick I was or what the appointment was about.
This would be great for parents with sick children, however, keep in mind that much of the time and depending on the illness, the Dr. will want to do tests such as throat culture, or whatever.
That’s very true. It does depend on what the appointment entails.
Love the concept of telehealth! My Mother is 75 and she loves the idea of doing a live video interaction with her Primary care as opposed to driving to the doctor’s office.
Telehealth would be awesome for the elderly! I take care of my almost 93 old grandfather and he has a lot of appointments most of which aren’t necessary.
I’ve used Telehealth before in Ontario, Canada and it is such a great supplemental service to standard healthcare like the hospital or a GP’s office. They are very informative and can direct you about what to do if you are experiencing any symptoms or medication side effects and they can assess how serious it is. It’s a great free service that more people should take advantage of.
Telehealth is a great supplemental service! I hope we can have as good of health care as you guys one day.
I have not tried these services before. It does sound really tempting because I am one of those people that hate going to the doctors office.
The doctor’s office isn’t the most fun thing in the world, is it?
Nope, never used a telehealth program – I would have to look more into it but it seems like a helpful tool.
It is super helpful depending on the reason for your appointment!
This information about telemedicine is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
I have never tried a telehealth service. I will be trying it now if the need should arise now understanding it better. Thank you!
I was just looking into a new doctor and saw they offer this service. I’m excited!