Need a doctor’s appointment but don’t want to come to the office? Steward Health Care is now offering telehealth video visits. This is in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 ensuring patients access to the medical care they need without having to go to the doctor’s office.
The telehealth video visits – conducted via smartphone, or a desktop or laptop equipped with a web camera – are well suited for patients who may have flu-like symptoms and want to speak with a physician. It is also a resource for patients experiencing other routine ailments but do not want to travel to the office for fear of a potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
“Given the COVID-19 pandemic, Steward Medical Group is giving our patients an alternative to coming to the doctor’s office to receive their care,” says Michael Callum, MD, FACS, president of Steward Medical Group. “Telehealth visits will provide our patients the care they need and want, as well as mitigate the spread of COVID-19 virus by letting patients see our doctors from the comfort and security of their own home.”
Telehealth video visits are available for primary care and internal medicine, as well as a broad range of specialized care including cardiology, orthopedics, and women’s health.
Patients can access telehealth appointments with their physician or caregiver in two ways: using Microsoft Teams application or Apple FaceTime with an iPhone or iPad. Patient telehealth appointments will be scheduled through their doctor’s office. Approximately 3,000 Steward Medical Group providers are available to conduct telehealth visits. Steward Medical Group operates practices in 11 states.
Once a telehealth visit is scheduled, patients will receive an email invitation for their appointment time, along with detailed instructions on how to download and use either the Microsoft Teams or FaceTime applications, if they do not already have access to them.
For patients who prefer to see their doctor in person, Steward Medical Group clinics are open and continue to welcome patients for their appointments. The office will contact you the day before your appointment and conduct a pre-screening to ensure you do not have flu symptoms or potential symptoms of COVID-19.
As another amenity, when patients arrive for their in-person appointment, Steward Medical Group has instituted “car-to-exam room” waiting. Patients are welcome to wait in their vehicles until the office notifies them that they are ready to welcome the patient into an exam room. This is to provide added comfort while visiting the office at this time.
Steward Health Care is closely monitoring COVID-19 and is following guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and World Health Organization, and is working closely with local and state health departments in the care of patients.
To schedule a telehealth video visit, patients should call their doctor’s office.
To schedule an appointment, visit Steward DoctorFinder™.
