NEENAH, WI (WTAQ)- ThedaCare says more patients are being seen electronically.
The recent influenza outbreak has also led to record number of patients being seen by a doctor through eVisits.
Dr. Nathan Grunwald said the online questionnaire gives doctors all the information they need to consult with a patient, without having to be in the same room.
“They go through a list of questions pertinent positive and pertinent negatives about the symptoms they are having.”
Doctor Grunwald said for many, the eVisit option the same cost, or even cheaper then many copays.
“The cost of the electronic visit is $35 dollars.”
Since last year, there has been close to a 20 percent increase in the utilization of eVisits.
“We treat about 24 conditions electronically, but the main driver of volume is sinus infections, upper respitory infections, influenza and pink eye.”
More than 330 people opted to stay home and be seen by a doctor electronically. Dr. Grunwald says its a win-win for patients and medical staff.
“It is a convienant option. When they are feeling ill, they don’t have to get in a car and come out to a clinic, and they don’t have to expose other people to their illness or get something else while they are in the clinic.”
To schedule eVisits, patients need to have a MyThedaCare online account. Patients will answer questions about their symptoms, similar to the questions that would be asked during a doctor visit. Patients will receive a response from their physician and if needed, a prescription.
For those that do not have a MyThedaCare account, they go to mythedacare.org and sign up.
