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Matrix telehealth visits: Everything you need to know
Modern technology brings health care directly into your home. Find out more about the perks of a Matrix video health and wellness assessment.
Not all that long ago, the only way to see a doctor was to book an appointment at their office. But there are plenty of downsides to that system. You may not feel well enough to go, can’t get an appointment at a convenient time, or can’t arrange transportation to get there.
Today, you can book a telehealth visit instead. Telehealth is a type of medical appointment in which you connect to a health care provider on a video call with a computer, tablet, or smartphone. It gives you the benefit of an in-home visit and can be just as effective as showing up for an exam in person.
“These visits ensure people’s safety and are easier to fit into a patient’s schedule,” says Pamela Eliason, FNP–BC. She is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and a team lead for Matrix Medical Network in North Carolina. Many Matrix home health assessments [link to main What is a Matrix visit article] can be scheduled to take place virtually with a video call.
Choosing a telehealth appointment still gives you the same personal one-on-one care that you would have if you carved out a chunk of your day to go to a doctor’s office. Find out more about why Matrix telehealth visits might be the right fit for your health care needs.
Matrix telehealth appointments are scheduled for a specific time
You won’t be left sitting in your doctor’s office waiting room, and your call isn’t slated for a wide time range where you need to be available. Your scheduled appointment requires connecting on an electronic device that allows you and the Matrix health care provider to see each other face-to-face.
“It’s set for a specific time, just like at a doctor’s office,” says Eliason.
Have questions about your health? A Matrix virtual health and wellness assessment is a great time to get answers from a licensed clinician — plus, it’s part of your plan! Call 877-302-3672 877-302-3672 to schedule or book online.
Clinicians conduct the Matrix telehealth visit
Highly trained medical professionals, such as nurse practitioners conduct Matrix visits. They have a master’s or doctoral degree along with advanced clinical training, and they’re often more accessible than a doctor. Matrix nurse practitioners can do these on a telehealth call:
- Review your medications
- Order lab work and X-rays
- Help with common ailments such as a headache, rash, or upset stomach
- Diagnose and treat chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
- Educate you about lifestyle changes for disease prevention and management
- Discuss mental health or addiction issues
Matrix telehealth appointments offer you security and privacy
Whether you connect with your computer, a tablet, or your phone, “members are connected through a telehealth system that’s safe and secure,” says Eliason. “It ensures that your privacy is maintained during the visit. There is no danger of anyone listening in.”
“If you want to have someone join you, they can be in the room or appear on screen with you. The clinician will be in a room alone, which also ensures your privacy”, Eliason says.
You receive a thorough exam
Even if the Matrix clinician isn’t there to hold a stethoscope, they can still effectively assess many aspects of your health. If you have equipment of your own, such as a blood pressure cuff, you may be asked to use it and provide the reading during the appointment. If you have a health issue that can be physically seen, you can point it out on the video call.
You’ll also have a detailed conversation about your health history and any medications you may be taking. This helps them identify possible health issues and whether you will need additional testing or health screenings. Research has shown that taking a patient’s medical history gives clinicians 60% to 80% of the information they need to make a diagnosis.
A telehealth appointment may require follow-up care
Telehealth appointments do have limitations. Certain medical conditions require an in-person physical examination for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. “If the Matrix nurse practitioner suspects that you need follow-up care, they will direct you to call your primary care physician for next steps,” says Eliason. If you are experiencing a health emergency, call 911 and do not use telehealth services.
But even if your Matrix telehealth appointment indicates that you need to see a doctor or specialist in their office, it lays the groundwork for excellent future care. And you will have sidestepped at least one appointment where you need to show up in person.
See our sources:
Benefits of telehealth: Health Resources & Services Administration
Nurse practitioners: American Association of Nurse Practitioners
Taking a medical history: BMC Medical Education
What health conditions can be treated via telehealth: Health Resources & Services Administration
