What Is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine is a general term that covers all of the ways you and your doctor can use technology to communicate without being in the same room. It includes phone calls, video chats, emails, and text messages. People also call it telehealth, digital medicine, e-health, or m-health (for “mobile”).
Who Uses It?
If your doctor offers the option, all you need to use telemedicine is reliable internet and a phone, smartphone, or computer.
- Live in a rural area or far from your doctor’s office
- Have limited movement, time, or transportation
- Need medical care while you’re away from home
How Telemedicine Works
Depending on what your doctor offers, you can get medical services in different ways. Two of the most common are:
- A patient portal. With the security of a username and password, a patient portal lets you send and get emails from your doctor or nurse, ask for prescription refills, and set up appointments. Your doctor can also share your lab or imaging test results and tell you what they mean. This is often faster than waiting to talk to them on the phone.
- Virtual appointments. Some doctors can let you have an appointment through a phone call or video conference. You can often have these meetings with mental and behavioral health professionals and urgent care clinics, as well.
- MedX Appointment & Prescription Platform. Simplifies prescription and appointments, helping you to manage patients & chambers in a smart way. Create your first prescription in less than 60 seconds.
