During virtual appointments, doctors can write the necessary prescription and send patients on their way to feeling better.
HOUSTON — More people are turning to telehealth for medical care, but it’s not always clear when a virtual visit is right and when an in-person appointment is the better call.
In Thursday’s Health Matters, Dr. Julie Bortolotti with UT Health Physicians shares her take on what telehealth can offer—and where it has limitations.
“Good morning, Mr. Perez. How are you today?” Dr. Bortolotti greets patient Art Perez.
Perez is a mailman who appreciates not having to make a round trip for routine care. For Dr. Bortolotti, telehealth is a great fit for mild, acute illnesses.
“For mild symptoms of an upper respiratory, a stomach bug, urinary tract infection, especially if you’ve already done a home test and you know it’s positive, or your kids were already diagnosed with the flu,” she says.
During a virtual appointment, Dr. Bortolotti can write the necessary prescription and send patients like Perez on their way to feeling better.
She notes added benefits, telling Perez: “You’re not going to infect the entire waiting room, right?”
Telehealth also frees up exam rooms and allows for appointments outside of typical hours, which is helpful when staff is limited and the doctor’s still available.
For Perez, the convenience is key.
“It’s an hour and a half round trip to the doctor and back to work, where I can just do this within 10, 15 minutes on a break time or lunch,” he says.
Managing diabetes is another area where telehealth shines for him, as regular check-ins are easier to arrange.
“I need to see you more frequently. We can alternate face-to-face visits and telemedicine and then more quickly titrate your medication, see how you’re tolerating medications, and move the needle on your state of diabetic health,” Dr. Bortolotti explains.
But some symptoms call for a traditional office visit.
“If you’re having severe symptoms like high fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness. For conditions like that, I really need to see you in the office to get a complete set of vital signs,” says Dr. Bortolotti.
Immediate treatments, such as injections or breathing therapies, may also require seeing the doctor in person.
For Perez, about 30% of his visits are virtual — a stat that shows how telehealth can make staying healthy a whole lot easier.
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