PRIMARY CARE REIMAGINED
PRIMARY CARE REIMAGINED
Medical Board to present results from a pilot program and explain the benefits of E-visits . “ Things like colds , flu , and allergy symptoms ; upper respiratory , urinary , and yeast infections ; minor eye irritations ; and conditions like constipation and diarrhea are all very appropriate for an E-visit .”
Justin Johnson , director of strategic initiatives at Baylor Scott & White – Central Texas , works with Dr . Couchman to deliver telemedicine solutions . He says , “ E-visits are great for patients with routine conditions living busy lives . They tell us they really like the speed and efficiency . We can often save patients a trip to the clinic , or to urgent care or the emergency room . That means they don ’ t miss work , family time , or other things they prefer to do , and the cost to the patient is much less . Additionally , by taking some simple visits out of the clinics , it opens up appointment slots for others with more complicated issues .” ( See issue 24 of The Catalyst to learn more about E-visits .)
Working together to meet a shared goal to benefit patients is one example of the kind of teamwork that underpins our primary care approach . Dr . Couchman says , “ Justin and I shared with the board our organization ’ s results and our successful story . E-visits easily meet the standard of care and provide patients with good quality , safe care that ’ s convenient and lower in cost . The board was very receptive to our findings .”
“ We hear all the time how much people appreciate having excellent quality health care close to home . We ’ re growing and expanding to continue to meet our community ’ s needs .”
Mr . Johnson says , “ Many groups in Texas supported the recent legislative change . In our meeting with the Texas Medical Board , having Dr . Couchman as a family physician advocate that the standard of care with E-visits is appropriate and showing real results to validate that position was impactful .”
Video visits are another way telemedicine is connecting patients at remote locations with Baylor Scott & White physicians . Mr . Johnson says , “ Video visits are like a privacyprotected Skype call . You can see , speak , and interact with your physician remotely through a secure video portal .” Video visits may help revolutionize care for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ), and heart disease .
“ Patients who require regular follow-ups many times do not need an in-person visit ,” Mr . Johnson says . “ These visits are typically more consultative in nature and video visiting from the home or office is
— Tim Ols President of the Hill Country region for Baylor Scott & White
often much easier than getting to a clinic — especially for people who live a long distance away . A lot of innovative , effective care is being provided outside of the doctor ’ s office . Unfortunately , much of that care is not yet reimbursed by insurance companies . As such , we ’ re a bit limited in offering these options , but with improved legislation our hope is that soon insurance providers will be more responsive .”
Convenient Care Clinics Convenient Care Clinics , formerly known as Urgent Care Clinics , offer a faster , lower-cost care option for nonemergency health conditions , compared to the cost of receiving care in an emergency room . Several locations are available and others are being planned for close-to-home care for less serious illnesses and injuries , such as flu and ankle sprains . Convenient Care clinics are staffed by family medicine physicians and advanced practice professionals , and offer extended hours seven days a week . Vaccines , health screenings ,
8 THE CATALYST Fall 17 | bswhealth . com