Visit Opt Ortho for Physician Recommended ProductsLearn More

Texas Orthopedics
(512) 439-1000
(512) 439-1000
  • Online Bill Pay
  • Patient Portal
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Refer A Patient
  • CAREERS
(512) 439-1000
  • Online Bill Pay
  • Patient Portal
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Refer A Patient
  • CAREERS

Texas Orthopedics

  • Home
  • Providers
  • Locations
  • Specialties
  • Resources
  • Contact

Staying Pain-Free During COVID-19: Telemedicine

June 16, 2020Filed Under: Dr. Barbara Bergin, General, telemedicine

From the blog of Dr. Barbara Bergin

Since the outset of COVID-19, many patients have been opting or encouraged to use telemedicine for visits with their physicians, and I saw this as a good option then, but also going forward. I always thought telemedicine would be ideal for rural as well as disabled patients, and frankly, for patients who have no access to medical care…even in other countries. Medicare was not willing to pay for doctors to do telemedicine…until COVID-19. Necessity is the mother of invention, right? Many of us are slowly getting the hang of telemedicine, but many (docs as well as patients) still struggle with it, and we should continue to take steps to improve access to our patients.

Austin, as well as other cities around the country and world, have gradually opened up for more personal interaction, and we’ve definitely seen increased numbers of patients in the office. And frankly, orthopedic surgeons must see the majority of our patients in person. But I still see telemedicine remaining a viable option going forward. I don’t know how long it will be before elderly and high-risk patients will feel totally comfortable coming back to the office unless they have an urgent concern or need treatment they receive in-office.

I also see telemedicine as a convenient way for busy people, and for those who just have simple questions, to be evaluated or get answers. I’ve always said that everyone should have a doctor in their family, or someone they can just call if they have a question. I get a text or call from at least one or two friends/family a day who have medical inquiries. Many of my patients; even young, healthy patients are using telemedicine to ask questions about their conditions. It’s becoming harder and harder to get accurate information from the Internet. Even I have trouble finding accurate, dependable information regarding many medical conditions. Much of what’s on there now is biased advertisement, and I really have to dig to find unbiased, scholarly information, unless I know exactly what I’m looking for. I think telemedicine offers an option to seeking misinformation on the Internet.

Certainly, there are many patients who must see their doctor in the office or emergency room. Most of the time, they know this intuitively. But not always. Telemedicine offers the opportunity to see if they need to come in. I direct some telemedicine patients to the office, once i have spoken with them regarding their condition. I might need an X-ray, or to examine them in the flesh. Or i might direct them to the ER. But there are a lot of conditions I can evaluate initially and certainly in follow up, without X-rays and by just looking at the patient, or having them point to the area of concern! Telemedicine is ideal for this. I’m still keeping the telemedicine option open, and plan to do so indefinitely. And I love the option to wear my scrub tops and pajama bottoms…and NO MASK! We can see each other smile!

To see more from Dr. Bergin, subscribe to her blog by going to her website at www.drbarbarabergin.com

Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook or Instagram.

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailStaying Pain-Free During COVID-19: Emergencies Default ThumbnailStaying Pain-Free During COVID-19: Don’t Let the Sun Set on These Painful Conditions Default ThumbnailTexas Orthopedics Congratulates SuperDoctors and Top Doctors

Filed Under: Dr. Barbara Bergin, General, telemedicine

Primary Sidebar

Categories

Arthritis
General
Rheumatology
Sports Medicine
Spine
Shoulder/Elbow
Hand/Wrist
Hip
Knee
Foot/Ankle

Follow

    

Popular Blog

OrthoLoneStar Announces Executive Leadership Changes

New Leander Office!

Footer

    Blog Post by Category

  • Arthritis
  • General
  • Rheumatology
  • Sports Medicine
  • Spine
  • Shoulder/Elbow
  • Hand/Wrist
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Foot/Ankle
  • TX Ortho News

    News and Blog

Patient Education

From orthopedic injuries to physical therapy, our patient education library explains many of the conditions and treatments you may want to read about. Learn More

Patient Stories

Our doctors, physician assistants, nurses, and professional staff are what truly make Texas Orthopedics so great. See what our patients are saying about us. Learn More

Why Choose TX Ortho

Why Choose TX Ortho Learn More
  • Services
  • General Orthopedics
  • Sports Medicine
  • Spine Care
  • Joint Replacement
  • Trauma and Fracture Management
  • Physical Therapy
  • Electrodiagnostic Testing (EMG & NCS)
  • Imaging Services
  • Infusion Therapy
  • Surgery Center
  • Pediatrics
  • Telemedicine
  • Specialties
  • Hand & Wrist
  • Elbow
  • Shoulder
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Foot & Ankle
  • Neck
  • Back
  • Rheumatology
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Locations
  • Patient Education
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Testimonials
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Refer a Patient
  • Careers
  • TX Ortho News
  • Patient Login
  • Online Bill Pay

Doctors

  • › W. Parker Abblitt, MD
  • › Abed Abdelaziz, MD
  • › Robert E. Blais, MD
  • › Kenneth Bunch, MD
  • › Christopher M. Danney, MD
  • › Robert A. Foster, MD
  • › Peter M. Garcia Jr., MD
  • › Brian T. Hardy, MD
  • › Austin D. Hill, MD
  • › Vishal Kancherla, DO
  • › Robert J. Koval Jr., MD
  • › Kamen Kutzarov, MD
  • › David C. Laverty, MD
  • › Zachariah Logan, MD
  • › Michael D. Loeb, MD
  • › Joseph R. Martinez, MD
  • › Benjamin A. McArthur, MD
  • › John E. McDonald Jr., MD
  • › Ai Mukai, MD
  • › O. Atilla Onan, MD
  • › Mark S. Parrella, MD
  • › J.P. Rodriguez, MD
  • › Claire Ryan, MD
  • › Vilas Saldanha, MD
  • › Blake Schultz, MD
  • › W. Randall Schultz, MD
  • › Scott A. Smith, MD
  • › J. Brannan Smoot, MD
  • › Joseph H. Snowden, DPM
  • › Jason R. Somogyi, MD
  • › Daniel T. Stewart, MD
  • › Kristopher G. Stockton, MD
  • › Ryan M. Taylor, MD
  • › Ryan M. Tibbetts, MD
  • › Blake Turvey, MD
  • › Todd Walker, MD
  • › Greg L. Westmoreland, MD

INFORMATION ABOUT THE NO SURPRISES ACT AND GOOD FAITH ESTIMATES

Copyright © Texas Orthopedics, All rights reserved.

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

Texas Orthopedics provides comprehensive orthopedic care by offering on-site X-ray, MRIs, bone density scans, physical and occupational therapy, general orthopedic services, sports medicine, spine care, joint replacement, fracture and trauma care, infusion therapy, and a Joint Commission-accredited outpatient surgery center. In addition to orthopedic surgeons, we have physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists at our locations in Kyle, Round Rock, Lakeway, Northwest Austin, Leander, Central Austin, and South Austin, TX.