Virtual visits aren’t new anymore, but how clinicians use them has clearly evolved. As in-person care resumes, many providers are becoming more intentional about when virtual visits are appropriate and when a hands-on exam is necessary.
In a recent post on Healthcasts, clinicians shared how telehealth fits into their day-to-day practice today—if at all. From chronic care follow-ups and lab reviews to improving access for patients who might otherwise miss an appointment, their responses highlight where virtual visits work well, and where they don’t.
Does your practice still utilize virtual visits? Log in or sign up to read the full post, share your approach to telehealth, and see the Consensus.
Key takeaways about current approaches to virtual visits:
Internal Medicine
"1. Most of my care, outside of ER work, vital signs checks, and lab testing, is virtual care. It is more convenient for my patient panel.
2. Simple viral syndromes, routine follow-up, and lab testing results are very suitable for virtual visits. Much can be initially seen virtually with close follow-up in person if there are any concerning features."
Family Practice
"1. It is helpful for visits not imperatively requiring hands-on evaluation, and if weather is an issue, which it can certainly be in northern Maine. We do them sparingly, but they are certainly valuable when done.
2. Straightforward follow-up for chronic conditions that don't necessitate a physical exam to greatly influence treatment plans. Occasionally, minor acute concerns like a rash or mild URI symptoms also."
Internal Medicine
"1. I am glad that this is an option for patients. Of course, many issues need in-person visits for evaluation, but many do not. I work in the city where there are many no-shows/missed appointments. Virtual visits are rarely missed and can be extremely beneficial for the elderly.
2. Illnesses, mental health follow-ups, hospital follow-ups, referrals, OSA documentation and follow-ups, DME face-to-face appointments."
Cardiology
"1. We still use virtual visits for many simple office visits to include UTI symptoms, etc.
2. We offer virtual visits for close follow-up on patients we are worried about getting worse, or even patients who have transportation problems."
Internal Medicine
"1. We do not use telemedicine appts in our practice. I am in an internal medicine practice, and most things we do require seeing the patient in person and doing a hands-on exam. It is difficult to examine the patient over the computer.
2. We used it rarely, even through COVID but even during those times, it was useful for things like counseling for depression or anxiety, which lent itself to a televisit. Also, things like UTIs could be done by televisit as well as mild URI or viral ax."
Family Practice
"1. I offer virtual visits to anyone who I feel does not need a hands-on appointment. My patients (especially elderly and working people) appreciate not having to come into a healthcare setting. The elderly don't want exposure to infectious diseases, and they appreciate not having to travel, especially with cold weather, snow, and ice. The working people appreciate not having to take time off work to come to an office.
2. I feel the majority of medication refill appointments and many simple sick calls are appropriate for virtual appointments."
Family Practice
"1. We do virtual appointments daily. They make up about 20% of my patient interactions. I currently have patients all over the US and 3 foreign countries. Virtual visits allow me to treat many chronic conditions without the need for the patient to travel.
2. Any chronic condition is typically appropriate. Also, many acute conditions can be evaluated visually. Conditions that require a hands-on physical examination or testing in the office still require an in-person evaluation."
Family Practice
"1. I do not use them unless a patient is homebound. I like seeing patients in the office and actually examining them!
2. The only patients we see virtually are elderly home-bound. I did see an 89-year-old woman last week with mild dementia who had had 3 appointments that she had cancelled the day of the appointment because she did not want to leave her house when her daughter would go to pick her up."
Internal Medicine
"1. I do see a few virtual visits here and there. It is not the bulk of my patient load, and only a small percentage. However, I do have a colleague who works remotely, doing only video and telehealth visits.
2. Typically, I do most of my consults face-to-face. In certain situations, I determine if a video visit is appropriate for a follow-up. Usually, these are patients with chronic and stable conditions."
Internal Medicine
"1. I think virtual visits by audio or video play an important role—better access. We perform these as needed. Much of the time, I can accomplish everything that I need to do virtually. It is unusual that I need a physical exam for most of the work that I need to do.
2. We continue to perform these for nearly all kinds of visits. For those who are informed, or with transportation difficulties, post-discharge, routine follow-up."
Do you reserve virtual visits for specific patients or provide the option to everyone? Share your perspective and read all of the comments on the post on Healthcasts.