When it comes to your health care, you deserve options that work for you in more ways than one. Sometimes, visiting your doctor in person is necessary, like for a specific concern or a routine physical exam. Other times, everything can be taken care of in a quick and easy video visit through the AdventHealth app.
How you visit your doctor depends on multiple factors, and we’ll walk you through each one. But most importantly, we want you to know that whether you’re coming into the office to see us or logging in to see your provider virtually, our compassionate care remains the same. You can count on us to deliver the care you need, when and how you need it, with virtual and in-person options to meet you where you are.
What’s the Difference Between In-Person and Virtual Health Care?
With in-person health care, you visit a provider at their office, urgent care center or hospital. You’ll get hands-on medical attention, which is important to properly prevent, diagnose and treat some health conditions — and always necessary in a medical emergency when you need immediate, lifesaving care.
In a virtual health care appointment — also called telehealth, telemedicine or video visits — you can do an online doctor visit using a computer, smartphone or tablet. They’re like in-person visits in that you get face-to-face time with a health care provider, but with the flexibility of taking the appointment from anywhere, like in the comfort of your home. In many cases, your provider can deliver a diagnosis and treatment plan just like in an in-person visit and have prescription medications sent to your pharmacy.
What Can Be Treated Online
A video visit is a convenient option for a face-to-face appointment with a board-certified physician or nurse practitioner through virtual means. You can receive a diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care and prescriptions for many minor ailments through a virtual visit.
Common conditions treated through virtual visits include:
- Asthma
- Coughs, colds, bronchitis and flu
- Digestive issues like acid reflux and constipation
- Lower back pain
- Minor burns, cuts, bumps and scrapes
- Minor COVID-19 symptoms
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Rashes or hives
- Seasonal allergies like hay fever
- Sinus and upper-respiratory infections
- Skin conditions
- Urinary tract infections
Beyond these common conditions, your provider may also be able to offer more specific types of support during video visits, including:
- Chronic disease management, like diabetes monitoring and reviewing test results
- Mental health care for stress management, anxiety and depression
- Medication management, including advising on dosage and refilling prescriptions
- Preventive care, like lifestyle and nutrition counseling and screening recommendations
- Remote medical consultations and referrals to specialists, if needed
If you’ve started a virtual visit in the AdventHealth app and your health care provider determines your needs are outside the scope of what telehealth can treat, rest assured that you won’t be charged. We’ll direct you to the best care for your immediate needs and assist you with a referral through your primary care provider, if needed.
Benefits of Telehealth Services
Access to virtual, or telehealth, care makes a big difference in most people’s health journeys. Video visits have meaningful benefits like:
- Convenience and accessibility: Visiting your doctor from anywhere means you can see them on your schedule, with zero travel time and no waiting room delays.
- Cost-effectiveness: Sometimes, fees are lower for virtual care than for in-person visits. Some insurance plans cover video visits in the AdventHealth app, so it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company first. If you don’t have insurance, the charge is $64 per visit.
- Greater physical comfort: When you’re not feeling well, it can feel daunting to leave the house. In a video visit, you can get health care from home.
- Increased access to providers: If you’re homebound or don’t have access to reliable transportation, virtual care gives you better access to providers, and especially specialists who might have a long wait period for in-person care.
- Reduced risk of infections: By staying home and seeing your provider virtually, you aren’t risking spreading germs to others.
- Virtual prescription refills: If you need to see your doctor to refill a prescription or to ask questions on dosages or side effects, a video visit is a quick and easy way to do so.
These virtual care benefits make it easier and preferable for many people to visit their doctors. In some cases, though, getting the best care for your needs means visiting your health care provider in person.
When You Still Need to See a Doctor in Person
While many health concerns can be addressed through a video visit, an in-person visit is necessary for certain aspects of preventive health care to ensure you stay well, and in medical emergencies when you require immediate medical attention.
Routine Preventive Care
You’ll need to see your provider in person for some routine parts of preventive health care, like:
- Annual physicals
- Health screenings that require a physical exam, like mammograms, Pap tests and colonoscopies
- Imaging tests, like X-rays
- Immunizations, like flu shots
- Lab work, including blood work and urine analysis
- Illnesses that require a physical exam to diagnose
- Newborn and well-child checkups
Outside of routine preventive care, you’ll also likely see your health care provider in person more frequently if you’re pregnant, facing a cancer diagnosis or managing a complex health condition that requires more in-person treatments.
When to Go to the ER
Always go to your nearest ER right away for potentially life-threatening illnesses or injuries like these:
- Asthma attacks
- Chest pain
- Concussion
- Coughing up blood
- Deep wounds
- Difficulty breathing
- Fractures with visible bone
- Heart attack suspected
- Major head injury
- Major physical trauma
- Poisoning
- Seizure
- Severe allergic reactions
- Severe stomach or abdominal pain
- Severe burns
- Shock
- Snake bite
- Stroke suspected
- Uncontrolled vomiting
Even if you’re not sure whether your symptoms qualify as a medical emergency, trust your gut. If you know something’s not right, don’t hesitate to come to any of our ERs. We’ll be there to react with urgency and treat you with compassion.
Technology and Trust: Making Virtual Care Work for You
Building a trusting relationship with your doctor is one of the best ways to take care of your health over time. This trust can be built in both formats, virtually and in person, but like any relationship, it takes time to establish.
Laying the Groundwork in Your First Visit
If you’re visiting a new health care provider, your first visit helps you lay the groundwork for a trusting relationship. If you’re visiting in person, you can get acquainted with their office, meet their team members and spend ample one-on-one time with your provider. You can build this trust virtually, too, by coming prepared with a list of questions for your provider during your first video visit.
Ease of Broaching More Sensitive Topics
Your health care provider is there to support your health, no matter what. But still, we know that talking about certain aspects of your health can feel intimidating while in person. A virtual visit can make it easier for you to bring up sensitive topics and help you feel more comfortable discussing specific health concerns, which builds trust with your doctor and helps them deliver the exact kind of care you need.
Zero Travel for Greater Peace of Mind
We know that for some people, a trip to a doctor’s office can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. A virtual appointment can help remove this mental toll by allowing you to meet with your doctor in the comfort of your own home, or wherever you feel the safest. When you feel safe and comfortable, physically and mentally, you’re more likely to open up to your provider, which allows them to best care for you.
Your Information Is Always Protected
You can trust that your medical information will always be confidential while getting virtual care with us. Any health information shared during an online visit is protected just as it would be if you made a visit to the doctor’s office, outpatient clinic or hospital.
Tips for a Successful Virtual Visit
When it comes time for your virtual visit, we recommend always preparing ahead of time to ensure you don’t have any technical difficulties. Follow these tips to properly prepare for your virtual primary care appointment:
- Select a device to use: Choose the device you plan to use for your virtual appointment (smartphone, laptop, or tablet) and install the most up-to-date version of the AdventHealth app. Make sure your device is charged.
- Do a quick A/V test: Test the camera and sound on your device to make sure your doctor will be able to see and hear you clearly.
- Choose a quiet, private space: Locate a well-lit, quiet and private area with a good internet connection where you can meet with your doctor without distractions and comfortably discuss medical concerns.
- Set up your device in front of you: Position your device so that the camera is at eye level. Try not to hold your device the entire time, as it can cause strain on you and visual difficulty for your provider.
- Bring your questions, pen and paper: Write down any questions you have for your doctor before your appointment and have a paper and pen handy to take notes.
- Have a backup plan: Have your doctor's office phone number available if you experience technical issues or get disconnected.
- Connect early, if possible: Connect to your scheduled appointment 10 to 15 minutes early if you encounter any technical issues.
To learn more about video visits in the AdventHealth app and to find answers to app FAQs and technical FAQs, visit our video visits page.
Is Virtual Care Right for You?
Whether virtual care or an in-person visit is best for your health needs right now will depend on multiple factors, some of the most important being:
- The nature of your visit: Is it a visit for a minor concern, a follow-up to a previous visit or a first-time visit?
- The severity of your symptoms: For anything life-threatening, always go to your nearest ER.
- Who the care is for: If you have a child or a family member who needs to be seen, their health needs may dictate whether you see a provider in person or online.
- Your relationship with your provider: If you’re seeing a new doctor for the first time, an in-person visit might be necessary or preferred.
You know yourself and your body best, and the right care for your current needs will always be your decision. As your health changes over time, your doctor visits might include a mix of virtual and in-person visits — always with the same level of unwavering support from your AdventHealth care team.
Supporting All Your Health Care in Every Way
We believe that health care should be easy to access, tailored to your needs and, most importantly, the kind of care that helps you feel whole. That’s why we’re here to support you with accessible, holistic care for a lifetime, with both video visits and in-person care. Whenever and however you need us, we’ll be there. Learn more about virtual care in the AdventHealth app or browse our list of providers who offer video visits.
