Traveling with telemedicine and online doctors in Louisiana for more ‘customer’ care

Telemedicine and telehealth – terms that can be used interchangeably – refer to access and diagnosis from health professionals. You can use your phone, tablet or computer to talk to a doctor from anywhere, anytime.

To connect with medical professionals, all you need is a device and internet. Generally speaking, consultations take place over the phone or video call, but some services have online quizzes to help patients know what they’re getting.

Virtual services can also be expanded attention from previous meetings, reviews and discussions about the results of tests.

Telemedicine exploded during the COVID era when health professionals and specialists lacked in-office contact with patients.

Although the popularity and convenience of telemedicine has not gone away, the National Center for Health Statistics reports a decrease in the use of telephones from 2021 to 2022.

By 2021, 37% of Americans used telehealth services in some capacity. By 2022, that number has dropped to 30.1%

Why telemedicine?

Not every health threat is an emergency. A doctor can monitor your symptoms from wherever you need care, give you a diagnosis and prescribe medication without leaving your home.

Kenny Cole is Ochsner’s vice president of clinical development and medical director of digital medicine.

According to Cole, virtual care provides “24/7 access to essential, urgent care that can be used primarily for allergy symptoms, cold symptoms and flu symptoms.”

These virtual visits can save time for doctors and nurses, and give patients more choice of doctors. That’s especially important for people who live where personal care options are limited or for patients who can’t take time off from work.

When you go in person, there is a chance that your doctor will have to wait to see you. Cole says this ‘waiting time’ can expose some patients to disease and illness from other waiting patients.

“There’s an opportunity to be able to get your needs met without putting yourself at unnecessary risk,” Cole said. “Real care provides that.”

How can you find an online doctor that works for you?

Access Health Louisiana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, LSU Health, Oschner and others provide online services for Louisiana residents. That includes, professional appointments, mental health and behavioral help and non-emergency illnesses.

When choosing any health care provider, doing your homework is important to make sure the provider is licensed, certified and maintains professional standards.

The Louisiana Board of Medical Services has a database of patients and doctors to search for doctors. A telemedical license is required in the state of Louisiana to provide virtual medical services.

What is the right amount?

Sometimes physical examinations are necessary.

In some cases, there is no balance if the patient does not have personal choice or if the visit is difficult to arrange.

There are some situations where you can still use digital technology to meet your health needs.

Cole refers to patients with high blood pressure or diabetes. Doctors can give them a wireless blood pressure cuff that sends data every week (or more, or less) to a HIPPA-protected electronic medical record. A doctor or care team can check that information.

“You can manage things like diabetes, high blood pressure and other conditions remotely,” Cole said. “It depends on the circumstances and what methods you have.”

Cole says virtual medicine “is a way to expand the capacity of the doctor”

It can “facilitate greater levels of access, as well as better meet patient needs in a major consumer way,” Cole said.

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