There are many reasons a person experiencing an illness or minor injury may prefer to connect with a health-care provider virtually, rather than visiting a traditional medical facility:
- It’s a weekend or evening and their provider’s office is closed
- Transportation or child-care issues make going to a health-care location inconvenient or difficult
- There are concerns about spreading infections or getting contagious illnesses, like flu or the coronavirus
Video Visits Offer Diagnosis and Treatment Plans
Unlike any other time in history of medicine, providers now have the ability to meet with patients using video conferencing technology. A clinician can perform a high quality video visit with a patient to evaluate symptoms, confirm diagnosis, and provide treatment plans.
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health recently launched a virtual video urgent care service called Penn Medicine OnDemand. Penn Medicine OnDemand provides virtual access to health-care providers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for patients located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland (at time of visit).
This convenient care option is for flu, cold, and minor illnesses and injuries for patients 14 and older. Patients may schedule a same-day appointment, then access the video appointment through secure audio-video functions in MyLGHealth.
This process allows patients to access care from just about anywhere – their home, office, or even the train station.
Added Benefits of Telemedicine
Recent global health-care concerns like corona virus and influenza have brought to the forefront additional benefits of video conferencing technology. During times of increased illness, providers may experience the need to care for greater numbers of patients in non-traditional settings. Virtual care, like Penn Medicine’s OnDemand, provides an excellent option.
You can start a video visit anytime at LancasterGeneralHealth.org/OnDemand.