It is easy to keep postponing healthcare when work, family responsibilities, travel, and daily obligations compete for your time. You may know that you should schedule an appointment, but finding a convenient time to travel to an office and fit a visit into an already busy day can become another reason to put care off.
At Dr. Marina Fest, DNP, we offer telehealth as part of our primary care services for patients in New York and Florida. Telehealth can provide another way to connect with a healthcare provider when an in person visit is difficult to fit into your schedule.
One patient described exactly that problem. She had delayed scheduling care for months because her schedule felt too chaotic. She was also unsure whether a virtual appointment would feel useful. After beginning telehealth consultations with Dr. Marina Fest, she felt the format worked better for her than she had expected and appreciated being able to receive recommendations without continuing to postpone care.
Telehealth primary care can help busy patients avoid delaying certain healthcare needs by allowing appropriate visits to take place remotely. It may be useful for discussing symptoms, medications, preventive care, follow up needs, and ongoing concerns, while issues requiring physical exams, testing, procedures, or urgent evaluation may still require in person care.
How Can Telehealth Fit Into Primary Care for Busy Patients?
Telehealth can make certain healthcare conversations easier to schedule because you can connect remotely rather than automatically traveling to the office for every appointment.
That convenience does not mean every medical issue can or should be handled virtually. Some concerns still require physical examination, testing, procedures, or other in person evaluation. The value of telehealth is that it can provide an additional access option when remote care is clinically appropriate.
Why Do Busy Patients Keep Delaying Healthcare?
For many people, the challenge is not a lack of interest in their health. It is finding time.
A demanding work schedule, caregiving responsibilities, school, travel, or other obligations can make even a routine appointment feel difficult to arrange. Delaying one appointment can then turn into months without addressing questions or following up on ongoing health concerns.
The patient whose experience inspired this article described repeatedly postponing care because her schedule was difficult to manage. Telehealth gave her a way to finally start the conversation rather than continuing to delay it.
What Can You Discuss During a Telehealth Primary Care Appointment?
What can be handled through telehealth depends on your individual health concern and clinical needs.
Dr. Marina Fest provides primary care that includes preventive healthcare, chronic disease management, medication management, referrals, and other ongoing care services. Telehealth is available for patients in New York and Florida.
A virtual visit can provide an opportunity to discuss symptoms, health history, medications, ongoing concerns, preventive care questions, or follow up needs when remote care is appropriate.
If an in person examination, laboratory testing, or another type of evaluation is needed, that can be discussed as part of the care plan.
Is Telehealth as Useful as an In Person Visit?
It depends on what you need from the appointment.
Some medical concerns require physical examination or testing and cannot be fully evaluated through a screen. Other conversations may be well suited to telehealth.
One patient told us she was initially skeptical that virtual consultations would be useful. After trying them, she felt that the appointments worked well for her and found the recommendations helpful.
That is her individual experience rather than a guarantee about how another patient will respond to virtual care.
Can Telehealth Help With Follow Up and Ongoing Care?
Telehealth can be useful when continued communication is an important part of your care and an in person visit is not always necessary.
Primary care often involves more than one appointment. Medication discussions, referrals, preventive health planning, chronic condition follow up, and review of ongoing concerns may require continued communication over time.
Having a virtual care option can make it easier for some patients to maintain those conversations rather than delaying them because of scheduling problems.
How Do You Know Whether Telehealth Is Appropriate for You?
The right format depends on your specific medical needs.
If you have a concern that may require a physical examination, urgent evaluation, testing, or hands on treatment, an in person visit may be more appropriate. If your concern can reasonably be discussed remotely, telehealth may provide a convenient starting point or follow up option.
At Dr. Marina Fest, DNP, we use personalized care rather than assuming one visit format is appropriate for everyone.
How Can You Schedule a Telehealth Appointment?
If a busy schedule has been keeping you from addressing your health concerns, you can use our online booking page to schedule an appointment with Dr. Marina Fest, DNP.
Telehealth is available for patients in New York and Florida as part of our primary care services. We can discuss your concerns and determine what type of follow up or additional evaluation may be appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dr. Marina Fest offer telehealth?
Yes. Telehealth is one of Dr. Marina Fest’s primary care services.
Where is telehealth available?
Telehealth is available for patients located in New York and Florida.
Does every medical issue qualify for telehealth?
No. Some health concerns can be discussed virtually, while others may require an in person examination, testing, a procedure, or urgent evaluation.
How can I schedule an appointment?
Appointments can be scheduled through the online booking page.
