The Future Is Now

By COPD.net Team

Last Updated:

1 min read

Editor's Note: This article was originally written by Jeff Collings, a COPD.net Community Health Leader.

How good would it be if the doctor came to your house instead? Well, the future is now! Hear about how my healthcare experience has changed with the advent of telehealth.

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This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The COPD.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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kloker Member

@Jeff Collings - Actually, it is great! My doctors, RT, Nurses, and any others needed all DO come to my house, and we use Telehealth too! I'm in Austin, Texas, and we have VPA here (Visiting Physicians Association). All visits from all of them come right to my bedroom/office in my home. I just leave the back door on the patio unlocked and they come on in and come to where I am in the house. We have our visits, and all is well. About every one out of four times in the cycle, my doctor and I meet over Telehealth instead of here. All other communication with them all is by phone. It is an awesome setup, and they are a great group of people, who take great care of me, and I usually see at least one of them each week, sometimes two or three. I don't travel at all and haven't been out of my house in a year. I will soon need to go out, though, as I have some medical needs coming that will require it, such as a trip to the urologist, and one to the eye doctor. However, they are put off for now, as I am still waiting for my POC, which was approved back in December, but I still don't have it yet. The stated reason is Covid delays in oxygen equipment availability. But that is wearing thin, and I am about ready to get out my hammer. But otherwise, life is good with all of this current setup. I've certainly tested it, as I've been ill several times and had a myriad of issues in that time, but it has been flexible and responsive, and Medicare and my insurance cover it 100%. So, compared to you folks who live out away from modern civilization, I guess I've got it made!
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 
 @Jeff Collings You make yet another good point, Jeff! There are certainly all the 'extras' that we don't often touch upon. We focus on the physical and time - how long it takes to make the trip, and the toll it takes on us physically. And then, there's the extras - the emotions, the anxiety and worry, the planning (before, during and after), the loss of time and what it does to our normal daily routine, and of course, how long it takes to recover from the day spent 'going to see the doctor'! I guess we could go on and on but, you made the best point in the video - telehealth, virtual appointments and the phone calls are what works for us today! Always great to be talking with you - looking forward to seeing you on our next COPD fireside chat, if scheduling permits. As always, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
2. Jackie English Member
 
 <inline-mention username="kloker" user-id="4235094"/> wow, that's awesome that your doctors visit you at home. I'd love to see additional doctors do this. Thank you for sharing! Best, Jackie (Moderator)
Jackie English Member

Hi @Jeff Collings! Another great video, you do such s good job. I'm so happy that your physicians have done this for you. I have had a few appointments like this during covid and I wish it was something that we could do all of the time. Best, Jackie (Moderator)