Memorial Hermann on Jan. 25 launched its Virtual Clinic, a program designed to help patients access medical care from the comfort of their homes, offices, schools or wherever they may be.
“Healthcare is our business, but so is technology,” said David Bradshaw, executive vice president and chief marketing and strategy officer at Memorial Hermann. “In the past several years, we’ve seen a tectonic shift in patient care beyond the traditional setting thanks to the emergence of new technological capabilities. While our patients still expect high-quality and safe care, they now want it on their terms, and more often than not, at their fingertips. To meet the demand, we’ve developed a host of consumer-driven digital tools, including Virtual Clinic, to help patients manage their healthcare – both inside and outside our walls.”
Memorial Hermann first introduced video consultation for select post-surgical appointments and case management services in January 2017. This month, the program is expanding to adult primary care and urgent care visits via Virtual Clinic.
Virtual Clinic offers video consultations via computer, tablet or smart phone with a variety of Memorial Hermann affiliated physicians. Appointments can be made for adult primary care and urgent care services through Memorial Hermann Medical Group. Dr. David James, CEO for Memorial Hermann Medical Group, explains, “There’s a lot of urgent care type visits that can be taken care of just by doing good history and asking the right questions. From earaches and allergies, to colds and flu, to stomach aches and digestive issues and more, now the doctor’s diagnosis is only a click away.”
Pediatric post-surgical virtual visits also are available through Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.
“Virtual Care is a game changer for our patients and their families,” said Dr. Matthew T. Harting, M.D., a UTHealth pediatric surgeon affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. “Surgery can be a stressful and time-consuming event for families, consisting of pre- and post-surgical appointments, as well as the surgery itself. However, this new program alleviates some of the stress. With Virtual Clinic, families don’t have to worry about making the trek back to the hospital for routine post-surgical appointments. They can now attend the follow-up appointment and see their physician without ever having to leave the house.”
Additional physicians and services will be added in the coming months. Virtual Clinic does not treat emergency or life-threatening issues, chronic illness, or provide medication refills.
