Page 15 - CANNABIS NEWS FLORIDA JULY 2020

ADVANCES IN TELEMEDICINE

Virtual Doctors’ Appointments

From the Comfort, Safety of Home

Caregivers across the Cleveland Telemedicine visits have been avail-
Clinic Florida region always put able from some health providers for
patients first. The widespread nearly a decade but infrequently used,
adoption of telemedicine exempli- according to Dr. Iannotti. Most
fies that. providers and patients were not famil-
As the situation involving iar with this option and reluctant to
COVID-19 began to unfold, deliv- adopt the technology for health care.
ery of care evolved. In an effort to With the COVID-19 pandemic and
keep patients, caregivers and the the stay at home recommendations
community safe, physicians began both providers and patients adopted
offering virtual appointments to this option and both have found it to
their patients, when clinically be a very positive and useful way of
appropriate. Dr. Daniel Edelman Dr. Joseph Iannotti getting health care.
“Telemedicine is more important Office visits and physical exams will
than ever,” says Daniel Edelman, D.O., Chief Medical still be necessary in some situations, however.
Information Officer for Cleveland Clinic Florida. “From every- “Telehealth visits can be most helpful when the diagnosis
thing that we've experienced, telemedicine allows us to talk to and treatment recommendations are primarily dependent upon
our patients, to give them what they need and to support them diagnostic testing that is already available and taking a good
during this time of uncertainty." history from the patient,” said Dr. Iannotti. “They are less help-
Patients who qualify are able to connect with their provider ful when the diagnosis and recommendations are dependent
remotely for their appointment using either Google Duo or upon a physical exam performed by the doctor.”
FaceTime on their smartphone, tablet or computer. They are Karen Schlitt, 74, believes this is going to be the appointment
able to have face-to-face contact with their health care of the future.
providers from the comfort and safety of their home. Schlitt was not feeling well and called to request her first vir-
Virtual visits are now a viable alternative to an office visit for tual visit at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health. Because she is at
many patients, according to Joseph Iannotti, M.D., Ph.D., Chief higher risk for contracting COVID-19, she had reservations
of Staff and Chief Academic and Innovation Officer for about going into the office. Her physician was able to meet
Cleveland Clinic Florida. with her over FaceTime to discuss Schlitt’s health. She was
“Telemedicine is here to stay as one way to receive care and immediately impressed by the experience.
its technology and usefulness will only get better and more “Loved it,” she said. “I think that if anyone hasn’t tried this,
user friendly,” said Dr. Iannotti. they should. This is the future of medicine.”

22 July 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News