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Dr. Richard Nichols and Dr. Joseph Harvey offer telehealth visits at Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists. We’ve found this type of care is especially helpful for patients who have chronic pain. If you haven’t tried telehealth, it may be something you should investigate.
During a telehealth visit, you talk to your doctor virtually or remotely. You can use a computer, your phone, or a tablet to access the service. Although your doctor obviously can’t physically examine you, he can see you, answer your questions, and offer guidance.
We have the dubious blessing of living in “interesting times.” Although telehealth has been around for quite a long time, the global pandemic has sped up its adoption, and spurred the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, along with many insurance companies, to change how telehealth is expensed.
When you visit your doctor virtually, there’s no chance of contracting COVID-19 or another communicable illness. You can talk to your physician from the safety of your home, yet receive the same high-quality advice and expertise you would have in person.
Depending on the condition that causes your chronic pain, you may be particularly susceptible to complications from COVID-19. Telehealth helps you remain safe, but still get the care you need.
Additionally, you may have days that make it difficult to leave your house for any reason, whether there’s a global pandemic or not. You’ve probably had the experience of having to cancel appointments because you were in too much pain. Virtual visits mean you don’t have to cancel, and you may get care that eases your pain.
In an article published in the journal Pain Science, experts noted that virtual visits have a lower no-show rate than in-person visits, patients have greater scheduling flexibility, and telehealth allows for rapid assessment, which gives patients more peace of mind.
Studies and surveys have consistently found that patients like telehealth and did even before the pandemic. In many cases, an initial in-person visit can be followed by virtual visits. Patients and doctors can maintain rapport, and outcomes are generally quite good. In Podiatry, it’s usually best for a new patient to come in first to have xrays taken so that they can see if there are any other issues that may be causing the foot or ankle pain.
Dr. Nichols and Dr. Harvey are committed to providing outstanding care, and that doesn’t change during virtual visits. If there’s anything they believe requires an in-person examination, you can make that appointment.
If you have chronic pain, you should explore telehealth as an option. In fact, telehealth is an option for many patients. To learn more or to schedule your virtual visit, you can call us or request an appointment online.
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