Ten Times to Try Telehealth from Trusted Medical Reference: MerckManuals.com

RAHWAY, N.J., September 10, 2024 – Merck Manuals, an authoritative online medical reference, shares advice from experts on when telehealth helps support access to healthcare and positive healthcare outcomes.

Telehealth provides patients with options to connect with their healthcare providers when a virtual visit can provide the care a patient needs and is more convenient, feasible, or safe than an in-person appointment. Doctor/patient interaction is usually done by video, telephone, or live chat and can employ patient portals, wireless devices, wearable sensors, and implanted health monitors to transmit and collect patient health data. Remote tracking is widely used for non-acute care for chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and mental health disorders.

Telehealth Awareness Week, organized by the American Telehealth Association, starts on Monday, September 15 and runs through Saturday, September 21.

Michael R. Wasserman, M.D., member of the editorial board of The Merck Manuals, observes "While there may be no substitute for an in-person office visit, telehealth serves as a beneficial supplement to traditional patient care."

A telehealth appointment would be an appropriate option if you:

feel too ill to leave the house (but do not need emergency care)       

get sick while traveling    

misplace a prescription                                                                   

want to avoid sitting in a waiting room

cannot take time away from work

have mobility challenges, especially problems with ambulation

cannot access reliable transportation

live in a remote area with few healthcare providers nearby

have children who need supervision

do not want to spread infectious diseases or be exposed to them                          
 

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First published in 1899, The Merck Manual for professionals is now in its 20th edition and is celebrating its 125th anniversary. The first edition of the consumer version of the book was introduced in 1997.