How to Integrate Telemedicine into Your Chronic Disease Management Plan

About 60% of Americans have at least one chronic disease, and about 40% have more than one. Chronic diseases can’t always be cured, but they can be managed. The key is having a treatment plan that stays on track with your changing health needs.

For most people, a disease management plan means frequent trips to the doctor’s office. But today, telemedicine has changed all that. You can get much of the care you need right in the comfort of your home.

In Miami, Florida, I & B Medical Associates is a leading provider of telemedicine services, using state-of-the-art technology to help patients manage their medical needs without leaving home. 

In this post, our team offers a quick overview of telemedicine and how you can integrate it into your chronic disease management plan.

Telemedicine and chronic disease management 

Telemedicine is great for someone with an acute medical issue like a cold or flu who wants to rest instead of traveling to the doctor’s office. But it’s also useful for people with ongoing medical needs, including chronic conditions like hypertension or diabetes.

With telemedicine, there’s no need to travel to our office for routine visits. Instead, you can have your visit where you like at a time that fits your busy schedule. That makes telemedicine visits ideal for anyone with mobility issues and those who depend on others for transport.

Since telemedicine lets you skip the office visit, you also avoid exposure to other patients who may have acute medical concerns, like respiratory illnesses that can easily spread. And, of course, since your visit takes place on your schedule, you don’t spend time waiting.

These benefits are especially important for people with chronic diseases, because frequent checkups are essential for good health.

Integrating telemedicine into your care plan

I & B Medical Associates uses the most advanced, secure technology to help patients enjoy all the benefits of telemedicine. 

If you’d like to integrate telemedicine into your health care plan, the first step is to call our office. We can let you know if you can get started with your first virtual visit or if we need to see you for an initial checkup.

Before your telehealth visit, you need access to a smartphone or a computer with an internet connection. You should also find a place for your appointment that’s quiet and private. 

For most people, that means a quiet room at home, but you can have your visit anywhere you have access to the internet — even while you’re at work, on vacation, or on a business trip.

Prior to your visit, it’s a good idea to make a list of any topics you want to discuss. During the appointment, we can discuss your concerns and any symptoms, review your current plan, and ask about any other issues that might affect your treatment. 

Depending on your medical history, we may ask you to have lab work done, like a blood draw or urinalysis, so we can ensure your plan stays on track. We also discuss any medicines you’re taking so we can make adjustments or refill prescriptions as needed. 

And we can provide information about preventive care, including health screenings or lifestyle tips to help you stay healthy.

Learn more about telemedicine

Telemedicine offers lots of benefits for people with chronic diseases, including women and men who take multiple medications or have other complex care needs. 

To find out how to make telemedicine part of your chronic disease management plan, call I & B Medical Associates today at 786-321-2399 or book your appointment online.