management . Health care providers are allowed to provide telehealth services to patients using remote communication technologies and commonly used applications , including FaceTime , Facebook Messenger , Google Hangouts , Zoom or Skype .
St . Augustine-based Flagler Health + is one of many medical facilities invested in virtual care . Through an exclusive partnership with Publix , Flagler Health offers walk-in care locations that allow patients to access virtual care by boardcertified doctors for issues such as colds , allergies , sinus problems and earaches .
“ Through a series of on-screen prompts , patients are connected with a doctor by video and have access to a variety of digital tools , such as thermometers , pulse and blood pressure monitors , dermascopes and other devices , which are connected to the monitor ,”
Gina Magnus says Gina Mangus , VP of strategy and business development with Flagler Health . “ The results go to the doctor in real-time .”
Mangus says the facility also offers an application called “ Flagler Health + Anywhere ,” which allows virtual visits in physician offices .
Since 2015 , Baptist Health has been utilizing telehealth to enable acute care providers to bring their expertise into community-based Emergency Departments in northeast Florida as well as southeast Georgia .
“ Telehealth / virtual care has been an emerging trend throughout the health care industry , as consumers , particularly younger consumers , were becoming more comfortable using the technology for their medical needs ,” says Laura Gaver , integrated communications director with Jacksonville-based Baptist Health . “ It was also a solution for providing medical care to underserved or rural communities .”
The COVID-19 Effect
The COVID-19 pandemic converted the use of telehealth from convenience to necessity for maintaining physical and mental health for many patients .
“ In March and April of 2020 , Baptist Health and our medical groups quickly stood up telehealth visits at nearly 100 physician practices to safely continue caring for patients via virtual doctor visits ,” says Gaver . “ More than a year after COVID-19 started to impact our community , Baptist continues to offer virtual visits
at most physician offices , including Baptist Behavioral Health , where providers are still seeing a high percentage of patients via telehealth visits , currently above 80 %.”
“ With a virtual visit , doctors can quickly diagnose and treat a medical issue ,” she continues . “ Should further evaluation be needed via an in-person visit , it could happen more rapidly , particularly if a specialist is required . The patient can be referred to the right specialist for further evaluation .”
Gaver says Telescope Health is a standout offering from Baptist Health . Their physicians live and work in the Jacksonville community , so they can provide a level of personal care , even when the visit is virtual . She adds that providers have been cooperative in providing care to patients via telehealth , viewing it as another avenue for bringing their expertise and care to the community .
The Future of Telemedicine To be sure , the onset of COVID-19 expedited the world of telehealth , telemedicine and virtual care . Medical facilities and patients alike are embracing the benefits of these services and can be confident in the quality of healthcare provided and received . “ The telehealth trend will continue to grow ,” says Gaver . “ People want to see a doctor on their terms , when they need one , in a way that is most convenient to them . HealthPlace On Demand allows them to see a doctor wherever they are at the time . It also helps ensure patients won ’ t delay care .”
Mangus says Flagler Health is leveraging the latest in technology to simplify the healthcare experience for everyone and to help patients get the care they need , the support they want and the inspiration to achieve better health .
“ Through added features such as moderated online communities , remote patient monitoring and integrated digital tools , we are engaging with patients in new ways to achieve optimum health ,” she says .
As for Baptist Health , the facility plans to be a part of this continued evolution : “ The telehealth / virtual visit field is growing , and we at Baptist Health look forward to leading the way .”
Jennifer Morrell is an Atlanta-based writer and editor with more than 25 years of experience in digital and print journalism .
JANUARY 2022 | 29 |