Telemedicine
You don’t always need to come into the office for a visit with your medical provider. At Uptown Psych, we know you lead a busy life with countless obligations and responsibilities. With that in mind, Dr. Richelle Strauss at the practice’s Chicago offices does its best to make treatment personalized and as convenient as possible for you. In many cases, telemedicine, or using remote appointments to monitor and treat mental health conditions, is a viable option that can make your life easier and make in-office appointments less of a burden.
Call us or book and appointment with Dr. Strauss today for a consultation to understand more about the particulars and to find out if telemedicine is right for you.
Telemedicine Q & A
What is telemedicine?
Telemedicine is the practice of receiving evaluations, diagnoses, and sometimes treatment via telecommunications, like phone calls or Skype. This allows healthcare professionals to perform critical mental health intervention from a distance, which can be the most convenient option in certain situations or can connect you with a preferred provider who does not live near you. The practice of telemedicine has picked up steam in the last decade and is becoming an accepted and important part of the United States’ healthcare system.
This innovative brand of healthcare is often used for follow-ups, managing long-term conditions, overseeing medication results, and special consultations. These are the types of services that Uptown Psych can provide remotely.
Why should I use telemedicine?
With the advent of technology like Skype, you feel as if you are right there in the room with your therapist for a critical session. This option provides increased access and alternative options to in-office visits.
Also, since therapy relies so heavily on trust, if you move away or are out of town when something happens, telemedicine can provide a way for you to communicate with your trusted therapist who knows you and the particulars of your circumstances. This is obviously preferable to suppressing something or speaking to someone with whom you are not comfortable.
What are the benefits of telemedicine?
Since telemedicine increases availability and access in scheduling appointments, it offers many benefits as far as your treatment goes, including:
- Less time away from family and work
- No travel to an office or lost time during travel
- Discuss issues in the privacy of your own home
- Less interference with other obligations, like childcare
Is telemedicine is right for me?
Telemedicine is not right for everyone and every situation. Initial evaluations and consultations are always done at Uptown Psych’s Chicago offices. From that point forward in every provider-patient relationship, your provider develops a treatment plan which might include remote appointments or follow-ups, depending on the specifics of your lifestyle, preferences and, most importantly, your mental health issue. Even though it can be a helpful tool that contributes to effective treatment, there are many things to consider before scheduling remote appointments in lieu of in-office visits.