Telemedicine’s Changing Landscape

Lee Health delivers safe and convenient care via virtual visits

With the COVID-19 pandemic, we have experienced the emergence of a “new normal” during the past several months, including the way health care is delivered. Telemedicine has moved to the forefront of care and has become more of a necessity than an option. At Lee Health, we have seen the number of virtual visits skyrocket since the pandemic began.

Telemedicine is an innovative approach to health care that connects patients with their doctors through a secure internet connection. During their Lee Telehealth virtual visits, patients skip the waiting room and interact with board-certified physicians via their devices’ cameras—to receive a diagnosis and, if necessary, a referral or prescription.

Innovative and expanded ways of delivering health care benefit us all. And virtual services such as telemedicine are especially important to older adults and those living in rural areas, which tend to have fewer doctors and limited access to specialized services, including cardiac care.

When it comes to patients, virtual consultations provide many advantages, including reducing patients’ risks of possible exposure to a cold, flu or other viruses, and improving access of care from the comfort of home. However, doctors have also seen its advantages in helping to streamline patient flow and the ability to directly access information through patients’ electronic health records.

COVID-19 helped accelerate the adoption of virtual services throughout Southwest Florida, and contributed to rapid growth in the adoption of telemedicine services. Social-distancing orders have made it challenging for individuals to receive care in the traditional in-person setting. Thus, the convenience and safety of virtual visits make them attractive alternatives— without compromising care.

In addition, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers have relaxed policies to cover telehealth and other virtual services. These changes minimize out-of-pocket costs and make it easier for patients to use such services.

Today, we are seeing even the most unlikely patients embrace the technology. They are now electronically conversing with physicians for conditions such as colds and flu, upper respiratory issues, routine follow-ups and even symptoms of the coronavirus.

A recent study, undertaken by J.D. Power, revealed that just 10 percent of health care consumers had used such services prior to the pandemic. To put it into perspective, Lee Health began offering telehealth services in October of 2015. From that time through February 2020, its providers had seen a total of 500 virtual patients. Conversely, Lee Health saw about 50,000 patients via virtual visits in March, April and May of 2020.

Telemedicine greatly improves access to health care for many patients who may not otherwise be provided with care. As the technology continues to evolve, it won’t necessarily replace the in-person compassionate care provided by physicians. But it’s nice to know that telemedicine offers patients convenient, safe and high-quality primary care—which patients traditionally have received in doctors’ offices.

Visit leehealth.org for more information about virtual appointments.

Kris Fay, MHA, is the chief administrative officer for Lee Physician Group, Home Health and Physician Services.

During their Lee Telehealth virtual visits, patients skip the waiting room and interact with board-certified physicians via their devices’ cameras—to receive a diagnosis and, if necessary, a referral or prescription.