Telemedicine uses technology such as phones, laptops, computers, and smartphones to complete routine healthcare appointments. At Psychiatry Unplugged, telemedicine visits can help patients stay on track after initial office assessment and diagnosis. Once you complete one of our detox programs and are in a steady place both mentally and physically, you can follow up via telehealth.
 
One way telemedicine works at our clinic is by using HIPAA-compliant software and e-scripts to maintain prescriptions. Additionally, these visits can give your doctor insight into how your recovery is going. Your physician may need to slightly adjust your treatment plan or make general lifestyle recommendations.

Telemedicine has become increasingly popular within the last few years because of its many benefits. Benefits of telemedicine include:
 
– Compared to in-person visits, telemedicine visits are much more cost-efficient
– They greatly reduce transportation costs and time
– You won’t have to take time off of work or worry about childcare
– If you live in a rural community, you have access to high-quality clinics
– Insurance companies typically cover the costs of telehealth
– Eliminates exposure to other illnesses or infections
– Convenient and accessible
– A good option for anyone with severe anxiety disorders or autism

Examples of telemedicine include:
 
Live video conferencing
Live video conferencing software can be used instead of in-office visits. These consultations are generally one on one and can be completed within a shorter time frame. As long as you have access to a smartphone or laptop, you can even show up to a telemedicine visit during your lunch break at work.
 
Mobile health apps
Mobile health apps are used primarily to track symptoms and follow treatment plans. These apps are very useful for patients and physicians to communicate asynchronously.
 
Remote patient monitoring
Remote patient monitoring uses advanced technology to manage chronic conditions. These technologies can alert your physician in real-time when your body is showing any irregular symptoms. In some cases, doctors will use remote patient monitoring to gather data for a few days or weeks. You will then discuss the results in a phone consultation, conference call, or in person visit.
 
Phone consultations
Although most doctors prefer to use live video conferencing, phone consultations can be arranged for patients who lack the necessary technology. Phone consultations greatly improve access to healthcare.

In the field of medicine, e-visits refer to patient-to-doctor communication through emails and messaging. E-visits are asynchronous forms of communication whereas telemedicine visits are synchronous. This means that telemedicine visits must be scheduled in advance as they are in real-time. Telemedicine visits are a great substitution for in-office appointments and e-visits are great for patients who need regular, consistent communication with their doctor.
 
If you need to schedule regular visits with Psychiatry Unplugged, call our clinic during office hours or request an appointment online. Our clinic would love to accommodate you and your personal healthcare needs. Whether you live far away from the clinic or don’t have time to sit in a waiting room, consider booking a telemedicine visit. Our team of expert addiction specialists looks forward to assisting you in any way we can. For more information on telemedicine at Psychiatry Unplugged, contact us and we’ll happily answer any questions you have! We serve patients from Los Angeles CA, Glendale CA, Beverly Hills CA, Santa Monica CA, Hollywood CA, Burbank CA, and Pasadena CA.