As cold and flu season returns, many of us find ourselves juggling hectic schedules as we seek medical care.
Virtual care offers a convenient care option that can lift the burden of needing to travel. It allows you to consult a health care professional from the comfort of home.
“Virtual care is especially good during cold and flu season to help avoid the spread of illness,” says Rachel Savage, a Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner at ThedaCare Physicians-Appleton North. “Virtual visits can be helpful when people generally are not feeling well. They’re less likely to get someone else sick, and they don’t have to leave their home.”
Perks of Virtual Care
For people with busy lives or limited access to transportation, virtual care can be a time-saving and convenient option. Oftentimes, virtual visits also offer shorter wait times compared to traditional clinic appointments. This can break down barriers and help individuals from many walks of life, including:
- Workers
- Parents
- People with anxiety
- Individuals with cognitive challenges
- Older adults
- Rural residents
The benefits of virtual care are clear, but here’s how to decide if it’s a good option for your situation.
Types of Care
You can choose from two main types of virtual care: eVisits and video visits. Each has its own benefits and limitations. You can access both through MyThedaCare using any web-enabled device with a camera, including a smartphone.
- eVisit: With an eVisit, you’ll fill out a questionnaire detailing your symptoms. A health care provider will review the information and respond via MyThedaCare within two hours during standard operating hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. You’ll receive a response the next day if outside those hours. If needed, the provider can prescribe medication. While quick and efficient, eVisits work best for straightforward symptoms such as a cough or nasal congestion.
- Video Visit: These allow you to engage in a real-time video chat with your physician or provider, allowing for a more interactive assessment. Your provider can observe your condition and ask follow-up questions in real time. This is useful for evaluating more complex cases or for symptoms that need visual assessment, like skin rashes or swelling.
- Urgent Care Video Visit: This option allows you to speak to the first available care provider between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. It’s an appropriate option for non-serious conditions such as cold and flu symptoms, seasonal allergies, sinus infections, gastrointestinal illnesses and urinary tract infections. You must be within the state of Wisconsin at the time of your visit to receive this type of care.
In addition to assessing and treating mild illness, video visits can work for several other needs. These include chronic disease management, medication checks, mental health appointments, discussion of test results and next steps, establishment of care, and follow-up appointments.
How to Choose Care
While virtual care is convenient, certain situations call for an in-person visit. Savage discusses factors to consider when determining if an in-person appointment might be a better option for your needs.
- Severity of symptoms. If symptoms are severe or worsening, in-person care is usually the safest choice. For instance, high fevers, difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, severe chest pain or persistent vomiting warrant immediate medical attention. Virtual care also doesn’t allow for physical examinations, such as listening to the lungs or examining the throat in detail. “Sometimes, the limitations of a screen prevent us from assessing signs that could indicate a more serious underlying condition,” Savage says.
- Certain symptom types. A new onset of dizziness, facial droop, falling or other stroke-like symptoms should receive immediate medical attention at the nearest emergency department. If you suspect a stroke, call 911; don’t try to transport yourself to the hospital.
- New or unusual symptoms. Individuals with chronic health conditions or a history of complications should consider an in-person visit for any new or concerning symptoms to ensure comprehensive evaluation.
- Number of symptoms. If you’re experiencing two or more conditions, consider an in-person visit. “If we’re having concerns over such conditions as strep throat or an ear infection, those should be seen in person,” Savage says. “We’ll need a swab of the throat and will want to see the ears. Often, ears can cause a full feeling or pain and not be an infection.”
- Some types of rashes. For evaluation of rashes affecting the genitalia or buttocks, in-person care also is usually a better option. Never send sensitive pictures using your MyThedaCare account.
- COVID-19 concerns. For people with chronic lung or heart disease, Savage suggests taking a home COVID-19 test if flu-like symptoms start. You often can receive a treatment plan through virtual care. However, if you’re a younger, generally healthy person with signs of a mild cold, you can monitor your symptoms and follow home care measures. If symptoms worsen, it’s a good idea to seek care.
Connected and Comprehensive
Above all, know that when you choose virtual care, you can expect the same comprehensive care you’d receive through an in-person visit.
“We will always tell patients if we think they need an in-person appointment,” Savage says. “If they were seen in person and their condition worsens, we require that individual to be seen in person again.”
ThedaCare offers several quick, convenient care options. Visit thedacare.org/get-care-now to see a broader list of symptoms and corresponding care options.
“We understand how busy life gets,” Savage says. “We’re pleased to offer virtual options that make it easier to connect to the care you need.”
