Telemedicine: Connecting patients with providers

The concept of telehealth has been part of the U.S. healthcare system for decades — think EMS workers transmitting electrocardiograms via their radio systems — but at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic it became a primary and comprehensive means of communication between providers and patients.

While many patients have since returned to in-office visits, telemedicine appointments remain widely available through the region’s medical and mental health practices.

Those with smart phones, tablets or computers receive either a text or an email including a link to be opened at a pre-designated date and time via their provider’s chosen Hippa-compliant secure medical platform.

“A telehealth appointment is not merely a phone call with your provider,” emphasized Kelly Crowfeather, administrator of Family Practice Associates of Taos located at 630 Paseo del Pueblo Sur. “The appointment requires you have access to both video and audio,” which ensures you are receiving optimal care and which is also required by insurance companies who have promulgated new regulations for a trend that is here to stay.

Nextcare Urgent Care of Taos is part of an 11-state network of walk-in medical care facilities, nine of which including New Mexico, offer online Virtual Care clinics. Their website, nextcare. com, guides patients seamlessly through the application process and assigns them a place in the queue: exactly like their physical clinics, but no clipboards loaded with forms or uncomfortable seating required.

Holy Cross Medical Center and its “family of care” — Holy Cross Hospital, Holy Cross Surgical Specialties, Holy Cross Women’s Health Institute, and Taos

Clinic for Children and Youth — feature telehealth options, particularly for pediatric care.

In telehealth appointments, “We can do everything but touch the patient,” said Dr. Stephen Lucero. Visit holycrossmedicalcenter.org for details.

Mental and behavioral health providers are particularly excited about the telehealth component of their practices, said Eric Mares, chief clinical director at Taos Behavioral Health.

“About 20 percent of our clients have remained with telemedicine appointments after we re-instituted visits in person,” he said, noting that only 2-5 percent of their approximately 3,000 clients opted for telehealth prior to COVID-19.

For children, the center has implemented innovative telehealth activities such as group virtual museum or zoo tours from across the country, or do-at-home arts and crafts projects. “A staff member will homedeliver supplies earlier that day and, later, join the kids online in executing the project together,” engaging the children with each other.

Whatever the age of the client, however, those who opt for telemedicine feel secure engaging in their “safe space,” Mares explained, while giving therapists an understanding of the client’s home environment: a valuable tool.

“Most of our patients at family practice do opt for in-person office visits,” Crowfeather noted, but said it remains a viable alternative for those who can’t make the trip. Keep in mind, however, “There are conditions that can only be addressed by seeing your physician in person.”

If the safety and convenience of telehealth appointments sounds appealing, be sure to check with your primary care physician to see if it’s right for you.