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Virtual House Calls

By Veronica Botet Garcia | Posted March 10 2010

Virtual medical practice, sometimes referred to as “telemedicine,” is a topic of frequent health conversations. Maybe you’ve heard of the NowClinic. It’s a service that offers a “face-to-face” visit with a doctor…through video chat.

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Unless you live in Texas, you’ll have to wait to try out NowClinic. It’s being introduced state by state, starting with the lone star. Created by OptumHealth (a division of UnitedHealth Group), it operates independent of insurance coverage. That’s a first.

This New York Times article, written when NowClinic was first introduced, reveals some mixed emotions concerning this type of virtual practice. One doctor called it a “pale imitation” of an in-person visit, others think it’s the future of healthcare and a way to offset shortage areas and overcrowded medical facilities.

Face-to-face visits are essential in creating a meaningful relationship with a doctor. But once those have been established, virtual communications can be a great way to build the relationship and cut down on costs and time. Our Better Health Conversation is designed not to replace an in-person visit, but to make that visit more valuable.

  • Stephanie Borden, CAPS

    I am a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist in Florida teaching a course titled “Home Sweet Home for Life.” My question is whether the GE QuietCare system can be purchased by individuals for use in their private homes. Can you please refer me to the proper person at GE to answer that question?
    Thank you.
    Stephanie Borden

  • Britta Barrett

    Hi Stephanie,

    Thank you so much for your note.

    As of right now, the GE QuietCare system is only in use by senior housing communities within the United States. We are actively evaluating the opportunity to bring QuietCare into the home setting in the near future but it isn’t an option right now.

    Something that we do offer for the home at this time is a technology called the Intel Health Guide. GE in partnership with Intel Corporation offer the Intel® Health Guide, which is a comprehensive personal health system combining an in-home patient device with an online interface to allow clinicians to monitor patients in their homes and manage care remotely. The Health Guide includes vital sign collection, patient reminders and communications tools such as video conferencing and alerts.

    This might be something of interest to you for your “Home Sweet Home for Life” course. You can find more information about this technology by going here: http://www.intel.com/healthcare/ps/healthguide/location.htm

    Thanks,

    Britta

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