Virtual Options ‘Make it Easier to Connect to the Care You Need’

Cold and flu season, combined with busy lifestyles, often results in uncertainty surrounding how best to squeeze in a trip to the doctor’s office when a family member or one’s self is sick.

That’s where virtual care might serve as an effective option, a ThedaCare health expert said.

Virtual visits enable people to discuss their health concerns directly with a health care provider from the comfort of their own home or whatever location is most convenient.

People can make an appointment with a provider and access it through any web-enabled device with a camera, including a smartphone, tablet or computer.

It’s a care option that can lift the burden of needing to travel, said Rachel Savage, a Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner at ThedaCare Physicians-Appleton North.

Rachel Savage

“Virtual care is a good option during cold and flu season to help avoid the spread of illness,” Savage said. “Virtual visits can be helpful when people generally are not feeling well. They’re less likely to get someone else sick and they don’t need to leave their home.”

Perks of Virtual Care

For people with busy lives or limited access to transportation, virtual care can be a time-saving and convenient option. Virtual visits often offer shorter wait times compared to traditional clinic appointments, Savage said. This can break down barriers and help individuals from many walks of life, including:

• Employees
• Parents
• People with anxiety
• Individuals with cognitive challenges
• Older adults
• Rural residents

There are two main types of virtual care: eVisits and video visits, Savage explained. Each has its own benefits and limitations. ThedaCare patients can access both through MyThedaCare using any web-enabled device with a camera, including a smartphone.

With an eVisit, a person fills out a questionnaire detailing their symptoms. A health care provider reviews the information and responds via MyThedaCare within about two hours during standard operating hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. If needed, the provider can prescribe medication. eVisits work best for straightforward symptoms such as a cough or nasal congestion.

Patients are encouraged to review their health insurance plan details or call their health insurance provider to understand their specific virtual care benefits, Savage said.

Video visits enable people to engage in a real-time video chat with their physician or provider, allowing for a more interactive assessment. The provider can observe a person’s condition and ask follow-up questions in real time. This helps when evaluating more complex cases or for symptoms that need visual assessment, like skin rashes or swelling, Savage said.

An Urgent Care Video Visit option enables a person to speak to the first available health care provider between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. It’s can be an appropriate option for non-serious conditions such as cold and flu symptoms, seasonal allergies, sinus infections, gastrointestinal illnesses and urinary tract infections. A person must be within the state of Wisconsin at the time of their visit to receive this type of care. 

In addition to assessing and treating mild illness, video visits may work for other needs including chronic disease management, medication checks, mental health appointments, discussion of test results and next steps, establishment of care and follow-up appointments.

How to Choose Care

While virtual care is convenient, certain situations call for an in-person visit. Savage shared factors to consider when determining if an in-person appointment might be the better option.

• Severity of symptoms. If symptoms are severe or worsening, in-person care is usually the safest choice. For instance, high fevers, difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, severe chest pain or persistent vomiting warrant immediate medical attention. Virtual care also doesn’t allow for physical examinations, such as listening to the lungs or examining the throat in detail.
• Certain symptom types. A new onset of dizziness, facial droop, falling or other stroke-like symptoms should receive immediate medical attention at the nearest emergency department. “If you suspect a stroke, call 911,” Savage said. “Don’t try to transport yourself to the hospital.”
• New or unusual symptoms. Individuals with chronic health conditions or a history of complications should consider an in-person visit for any new or concerning symptoms.
• Number of symptoms. If a person is experiencing two or more conditions, they should consider an in-person visit. “If we’re having concerns over such conditions as strep throat or an ear infection, those should be seen in person,” Savage said. “We’ll need a swab of the throat and will want to see the ears. Often, ears can cause a full feeling or pain and not be an infection.”
• Some types of rashes. For evaluation of rashes affecting the genitalia or buttocks, in-person care also is usually a better option.
• COVID-19 concerns. For people with chronic lung or heart disease, Savage suggests taking a home COVID-19 test if flu-like symptoms start. People often can receive a treatment plan through virtual care. However, a younger, generally healthy person with signs of a mild cold, can monitor their symptoms and follow home care measures. If symptoms worsen, it’s a good idea to seek in-person care.

When using the virtual care option, people can expect the same level of service they would receive through an in-person visit, Savage said.

“We understand how busy life gets,” Savage said. “We’re pleased to offer virtual options that make it easier to connect to the care you need.”

Visit thedacare.org/get-care-now for a broader list of symptoms and related care options.

About ThedaCare

For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including nine hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. ThedaCare is part of Froedtert ThedaCare Health, Wisconsin’s most comprehensive health care system.