It was 7:30 on a Monday morning when Tola woke up with a pounding headache and a sore throat.
Normally, the next step would be simple: get dressed, find a hospital, sit in traffic and wait to see a doctor.
But there was one problem.
Tola had an important meeting that morning.
So, instead of spending hours getting to a hospital, she reached for her phone and connected with a doctor through telemedicine.
Within minutes, she was speaking with a healthcare professional, explaining her symptoms and getting medical advice, all without leaving her home.
And that is one of the biggest advantages of telemedicine: healthcare can come to you.
Telemedicine allows patients to consult healthcare professionals remotely using a phone, tablet or computer. It can be particularly useful for everyday health concerns, follow-up consultations and situations where travelling to a healthcare facility may not be necessary.
For busy professionals, parents, older adults or anyone who simply doesn’t want to spend hours travelling for a consultation, this can make accessing healthcare much more convenient.
But convenience isn’t the only benefit.
Telemedicine can also make it easier for people to seek medical advice early rather than ignoring symptoms because getting to a hospital feels like too much of a hassle.
Of course, telemedicine isn’t designed to replace emergency care. Serious or life-threatening symptoms still require immediate attention at a healthcare facility.
But for many routine healthcare needs, having the option to speak with a doctor remotely can remove one more barrier between people and the care they need.
At Quest Medicare HMO, we believe healthcare should be accessible when you need it, not only when it is convenient to visit a hospital.
With Quest Medicare HMO’s plans, members can connect with healthcare professionals remotely and get the medical guidance they need from wherever they are.
Because sometimes, getting healthcare shouldn’t have to mean going anywhere.
