4 Habits That Support Strong Healthy Shoulder Joints
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The Many Benefits of Telemedicine
Telemedicine offers a unique approach to extend services to patients with orthopedic needs. Patients can access care from orthopedic specialists using computers, phones, and mobile devices. Your provider can monitor your health and provide the same level of care as in-office consultations from the comfort of your home or office.
What is telemedicine?
Telemedicine enables health care providers to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients at a distance using electronic communications technology. Using technology to provide care fills in the gap for patients with non-life threatening orthopedic needs when an in-person visit isn’t required.
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Matthew Pifer offers remote consultations to new and existing patients in Santa Barbara, California. TeleVisits are key to receiving ongoing care and accessing care without the need to travel or take time off work.
Expanded access to orthopedic services
While orthopedic care is often very hands-on, many aspects of patient care aside from physical examinations and surgical procedures can be performed remotely through TeleVisits.
Patients with orthopedic needs can access the following services through telemedicine appointments:
- Telemedicine
- Initial consultation
- Coordinate treatment
- Post-operative follow-up
- Track treatment progress
- Review imaging test results
- Monitor recovery from surgery
- Prescribe or change medications
- Discuss new or existing symptoms
- Monitor physical therapy progress
- Discuss treatment recommendations
Convenience
Patients with spine, joint, and musculoskeletal conditions must often contend with discomfort and limited mobility on a day-to-day basis. The ability to schedule a TeleVisit for continuing care means you won’t have to leave the comfort of your home or make special arrangements to attend your appointment. You have access to a host of clinical services remotely without the need to travel.
Enhanced engagement
Life can be busy. The convenience of virtual visits makes them easier to fit into your schedule, greatly improving your ability to stay engaged with your health.
Telemedicine makes it simple for patients to share health information, remain aware of their overall health, and receive ongoing orthopedic care from their provider. For example, the patient's ability to report early warning symptoms post-surgery provides Dr. Pifer with an enhanced opportunity to head off potential problems.
How does a telemedicine appointment work?
A telemedicine appointment is just like an in-person visit. It starts with speaking with a member of our clinical staff to gather routine information, followed by your virtual visit with Dr. Pifer.
Remote visits may be provided via video conference or over the phone and may include uploading information to your patient portal. From there, your health care team will coordinate your care and address your health needs.
Telemedicine offers the same high-quality care you’ve come to expect. Dr. Pifer encourages patients with orthopedic needs to access telemedicine services to stay on top of their health.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or recovering from surgery, telemedicine services can keep you connected with your specialist. To get started, contact our Santa Barbara office or request a telemedicine appointment online using the webform here.
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