Telemedicine allows you to meet with a doctor, a therapist, or other specialists who may be many miles away, using picture, sound, and computer connections.  You can see and speak with your health care provider in real time, and the provider can examine your child, just as if you were in the same room together. 

A telemedicine session is almost like a regular visit to the doctor or therapist. A camera is mounted on a TV screen where the specialist is located, and one is mounted on a TV screen where you are located.  You can see and talk with one another across the miles. Special instruments can even be used to measure blood pressure, look in the ears, listen to the heart (and much more) and send that information to the specialist.

A telemedicine visit takes about the same amount of time as a regular doctor's visit. You can ask questions and discuss problems just as you would in a regular doctor's visit.  Sometimes the specialist will receive and review your health information (Xrays, lab or other test results, notes from past exams, etc.) before the Telemedicine session.

You will be in a private room and the health care specialist at the other end will be in a private room.  Medical assistants may help during the telemedicine visit.  Sometimes a technician is present to make sure equipment and connections work well.  They understand and follow the same patient privacy and confidentiality rules as in any medical situation.  Any health information, Xrays, or test results sent to the specialist are kept strictly confidential, and only the information necessary for the visit will be sent.

Last Updated 07/21/2007