As telemedicine has become more popular over the past few years, there is now an additional question to ask when scheduling with your health care provider: Should this visit be an in-person or video visit?
Now that video visits are more widely available, you have more options than ever to find the best appointment that fits your needs.
Still, it can sometimes be difficult to make the choice of whether an appointment needs to be in-person or if it can be taken from the comfort of your own home.
Here are some tips for making that decision.
Emergencies
You can take one decision off the table quickly: If you have a medical emergency, you should seek immediate medical care. Do not wait to schedule with any provider, in-person or via a video visit.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away.
Non-Emergencies
There are very few non-emergency conditions that cannot be at least started with a video visit. If you are uncertain as to whether a video visit would be appropriate, it is best to contact your care team. You can do this by phone or via your patient portal.
A few other common scenarios where being seen virtually is a good fit include if:
- You’re not feeling well, and you want to talk to the doctor about your symptoms.
- You have a suspicious rash or a possibly infected wound or sore, and you need someone to look at it.
- Your doctor needs to discuss your lab tests related to a chronic condition, such as diabetes or congestive heart failure.
- You are anxious, depressed, or having a mental health issue and you want to talk to your doctor.
- You have a medical question for your doctor or want to talk about how your medications are working.
- You need a follow-up-appointment after a procedure or hospitalization.
- You need a referral to a specialist.
In addition to offering increased convenience (less travel time, parking expenses, etc.), video visits can also offer other benefits, such as the potential to meet with a provider sooner.
Different Types of Video Visits
If you decide that a video visit is right for you, there are different options available, depending on your needs.
Scheduled Video Visits
Video visits can be scheduled with a UPMC primary care expert or a specialist. Although it is typical to have an existing relationship with these doctors beforehand, some do accept video visits for new patients.
To schedule an appointment, you can use your patient portal or visit the UPMC Provider Directory to find a provider that meets your needs.
Other Virtual Services Available
- UPMC AnywhereCare – Offers non-emergency care to patients of all ages for minor illnesses and injuries. These might include allergies, bronchitis and coughs, cold and flu symptoms, sinus infections, tick bites, and yeast and urinary tract infections (UTIs). You can access UPMC AnywhereCare 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of insurance.
- UPMC Children’s Express Care – Provides specialized pediatric care for your child or teen’s minor injuries and illnesses when your regular pediatrician’s office is closed. Video visits with providers are available after typically scheduled office hours.
Telemedicine at UPMC
If you’re interested in learning more about other telemedicine offerings at UPMC, click here.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .