Treatment Options
Telehealth
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth is a healthcare service that utilizes digital communication technologies to connect patients with healthcare professionals remotely. With telehealth, you can access a range of medical services delivered through secure online platforms. This means fewer in-person visits are required, providing a convenient alternative for certain appointments.
Our telehealth fertility service offers a convenient and accessible way for you to consult with our expert fertility doctors using video calls. This service is beneficial for those who may find it difficult to travel to healthcare facilities or those who prefer the privacy and comfort of their own homes.
What is the difference between Telehealth and Telemedicine?
All telemedicine is considered telehealth, but not all telehealth is telemedicine. Telehealth includes a broader spectrum of remote healthcare services beyond the doctor-patient relationship included in telemedicine.
Telemedicine, on the other hand, is a specific subset of telehealth. It refers specifically to the remote delivery of clinical healthcare services, focused on the doctor-patient relationship. Telemedicine is used to diagnose, treat, and manage medical conditions from a distance.
Telehealth is a broader term that encompasses a wide range of healthcare services delivered remotely through telecommunication technologies. It includes both clinical and non-clinical services. Our current telehealth services involve secure online consultations as well as virtual follow-up appointments with our fertility specialists.
Telehealth Pros and Cons
In healthcare innovation, telehealth stands as a revolutionary asset. However, it’s important to acknowledge that while there are many patients who can benefit from telehealth, there are still some associated drawbacks that could affect whether or not a patient feels telehealth is the right fit for them. At RFC, we carefully evaluate the individual needs and journey of each patient, making sure that the delivery of treatment is best for their care.
Pros of Telehealth
Improves Access
Telehealth has made healthcare services increasingly accessible, breaking down barriers for patients who may face distance-related challenges in receiving care. Digital communications technology allows our patients to access fertility care regardless of their physical location.
Saves Time
Telehealth can be very beneficial to those with busy schedules who may struggle to find the time for their fertility appointments. The digital nature of telehealth allows patients to save valuable time on traveling or commuting. This convenience translates into the ease of picking up a video call without the need to allocate additional time for traveling to our fertility clinic.
Reduces the Number of Visits
Patients benefit from a reduced number of physical visits, streamlining our fertility care process. Our fertility telehealth allows for consultations and follow-up appointments to be done virtually, reducing the number of times patients will need to come to our facilities in person.
Cons of Telehealth
In-Person Visits May Still Be Necessary
Despite the advantages of telehealth, certain aspects of fertility care, such as specific diagnostic procedures or assisted reproductive treatments will necessitate in-person visits for comprehensive assessments and quality care.
Technical Difficulties
One of the minor disadvantages of telehealth services is the chance of technical difficulties during appointments, such as network connectivity issues. However, this issue can be remedied by switching to a phone appointment rather than a video call.
May Feel Less Personable
Although telehealth offers meaningful virtual interactions, it might not capture the in-person connection that some patients find crucial in fertility care. The absence of direct face-to-face communication may be perceived as less personable. However, it’s essential to recognize that telehealth represents just one mode of care and may not align with everyone’s unique needs.
How do Telehealth appointments work?
All RFC telehealth appointments are securely conducted online, prioritizing our patients’ privacy. We utilize GoTo Meeting, a secure online platform for web conferencing and virtual meetings.
- To guarantee the safety and confidentiality of our patients, we've carefully selected a HIPAA-compliant platform for all our virtual consultations and follow-up appointments.
Start your fertility journey with the convenience of telehealth.
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Start your fertility journey with the convenience of telehealth. Schedule an appointment by reaching out to us through:
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Once your appointment is confirmed, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing a link to the virtual meeting.
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At the scheduled time, simply click on the provided link to join your appointment.
- Should you encounter any technical difficulties, we'll seamlessly transition to a phone call while remaining connected to the platform for video purposes.