Telehealth made a consultation with a GI physician much easier for the patient—and the medical team—at Baptist Calhoun’s Rural Health Clinic this past December. It was the first time a telehealth consult took place between the clinic and Dr. Henry Johnson at Gastroenterology Associates of North Mississippi in Oxford.
The consult was arranged through Baptist OneCare using a video-enabled workstation at the clinic and Dr. Johnson connected at his office.
“Telehealth is used for initial consults, so the specialist in another location can consider the symptoms and concerns of the patient in the primary location and determine if treatment can be handled through medication, or if a procedure is required,” said Jeremy Lindsey, Baptist OneCare ambulatory director. “If a procedure is required, further arrangements can be made.”
Jeremy said the convenience factor is what drives telehealth.
“This gives patients access to specialized care that they otherwise might have to leave their immediate area to receive,” said Jeremy. “Telehealth saves them time, eliminates travel expenses and is an easy solution for both the patient and the provider. Telehealth consults, especially in a rural ambulatory setting, will continue to increase.”
More “video visits” such as this are planned for various BMG clinics throughout the year.
