1) Clinical Use Cases
Providers in almost every specialty are turning to telemedicine as a way to increase practice profitability, provide flexibility, and give patients a new level of convenience. However, not all cases are right for Direct Health, so finding the right clinical fit for Direct Health in your practice is the first step in setting up a successful telemedicine program.
How do providers typically determine what they will treat using Direct Health?
For most practices, consults fit into the following categories:
Other use cases include:
- Management of chronic conditions
- Post-hospitalization care
- Mental health treatment
- Lifestyle coaching (smoking cessation, weight loss, etc.)
TELEMEDICINE SHOULD BE AVOIDED FOR:
In some cases, providers will find that an issue can not be fully assessed via Direct Health. That’s OK. The patient can be asked to schedule an office visit. They’ll get value out of talking to you even if they still need to be seen in person.
Prescriptions
If the patient requires a prescription, you can simply ePrescribe in your Direct Health app. Patients can pick up their medication at a nearby pharmacy.
Note:Controlled substances must be prescribed in your EMR; please verify compliance with your state’s medical board rules and best practices. Additional verification required. |
Labs and Imaging
You may also want to order laboratory tests and/or imaging as the result of a consult. You can follow up with the patient in Direct Health to review the results and determine a treatment plan.
Best Practices
- 1. Regularly talk about Direct Health at staff meetings to ensure that all providers and staff understand the best opportunities for Direct Health.
- 2. Insist that the same standard of care be applied in the office or via video. If that isn’t possible during a consult, ask the patient to schedule an in-office exam.
- 3. Communicate with patients so that they can reach you via Direct Health — even better yet, have them download the app before they leave the office.
