In today’s busy world of full calendars and endless “to-dos,” finding time to care for your mental and physical health can be challenging.
Locally owned since 1993, Western Washington Medical Group (WWMG) is committed to serving patients and making it easier and more convenient to prioritize your health. Serving Snohomish, Skagit, Island and Whatcom Counties for 30 years and counting, WWMG is committed to personalized, accessible patient care.
Telehealth appointments provide patients virtual access to healthcare from anywhere, reducing the time and travel costs to see a provider and increasing convenience to patients. Whether on your break or at home on the couch, patients can be assured that Western Washington Medical Group providers will serve them where they are with the best possible care.
About Telehealth with Western Washington Medical Group
Telehealth is a medical appointment done via phone or video meeting. Telehealth can include patient consultation for health conditions and medication management, as well as patient education.
After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth services became a vital part of healthcare. Telehealth was one of the most important tools used to keep patients and healthcare workers safe yet allow access to needed medical care.
Since then, this alternative to in-person office visits has grown significantly and had a tremendous positive impact on patient care. “It has been huge in improving access to care,” Family Nurse Practitioner, Valerie Brand, explains. “The number of services that have been offered on telehealth has really taken off since the pandemic.”
Benefits of Telehealth with Western Washington Medical Group
The shift to telehealth care has improved accessibility for many patients. Patients who have transportation needs can now connect with their healthcare provider from the comfort of their homes. They no longer have the inconvenience of arranging a ride or navigating the public transportation system.
For patients with young children, who would otherwise have to find childcare to attend an appointment, telehealth is a convenient as well as time- and money-saving option. The same applies to individuals who are caregivers of children or other adults.
Patients living in rural areas can enjoy access to many specialists who may not work in their communities. WWMG is a team of over 100 healthcare providers in 20-plus specialty areas. The majority of their providers accept telehealth patients.
Telehealth is a Flexible Option for Busy Patients
Fitting appointments into busy schedules, especially if needed regularly, can be difficult for many patients. Access to telehealth allows the patient to manage their time more efficiently. In some instances, many of the preliminary tests or labs can even be ordered before the clinic visit.
Follow-up appointments can also be made via telehealth, eliminating frequent trips to the clinic for many patients. “I have some regular patients who find telehealth appointments just work better for their schedules, but sometimes they will come to the clinic for visits.”
“The nice piece about the flexibility of telehealth is that I can see patients at a time that works for them,” Brand says. If they’re coming into the clinic, “I can have the lab orders in and ready for them.”
“We go back and forth,” Brand says. “This gives them lots more flexibility in their schedules.” Using telehealth, patients can work with their providers to find convenient appointment schedules to maintain their healthcare plans.
Telehealth Can Reduce Anxiety About Medical Appointments
“I love the access to telehealth for the patient as it allows them to get to know the provider without the full commitment of going into the office,” Brand says. “This experience of going in the clinic can be anxiety provoking for some patients.”
Telehealth has had a positive impact on mental health. Many patients may initially feel anxious about finding or meeting a provider for the first time. Meeting a provider from the comfort and privacy of home is another great benefit of telehealth.
How Western Washington Medical Group Telehealth Works
To make an appointment, patients can call the clinic and request a telehealth visit with a provider. Once the appointment is scheduled, the visit operates similarly to a clinic encounter.
“Our medical assistants call the patient first and get them checked in the same way by reviewing medications and getting a little bit of history,” says Brand. “Then we coordinate and send the patient a link via e-mail or text.”
They simply click on it, and it will automatically link them to the provider’s virtual room. Patients can pay for telehealth visits the same way they pay for traditional clinic visits. Conveniently, telehealth appointments are covered by most insurance plans.
WWMG telehealth services improve access to care by offering patients more flexibility and convenience while saving them time. Patients can choose from a large number of providers and work within a schedule that is best for them. Western Washington Medical Group providers are happy to welcome patients in clinic or from the comfort of their homes to provide them exceptional healthcare wherever they may be.
For more information about Western Washington Medical Group and telehealth, please visit their website.
