Telemedicine

28 Jan 2022 admin

Common Questions People Have When It Comes to Telemedicine Walk-In Clinics

We’ve all been there: searching for a “walk-in-clinic near me” in hopes of finding a nearby medical professional who can help us manage symptoms or address a medical concern. But finding a walk-in clinic in Toronto, for example, can be complicated due to the wealth of options and the uncertainty you may have regarding what exactly they provide. In this piece, we’ll go over what telemedicine walk-in clinics can provide and what services you’re likely to access at a telemedicine walk-in clinic.

What Are Telemedicine Walk-In Clinics and Who Can Access Them?

For many that don’t have a primary doctor, they’ll in fact receive most of their care via walk-in clinics. But even for those that do have a primary doctor, they still may opt to go to a walk-in clinic for a variety of reasons, including convenience, speed, the severity of symptoms, etc. In recent years, we’ve seen a number of variations of walk-in clinics appear, all with their own advantages and disadvantages. One such new variety that has proliferated with improving video call software (improved security, speed, clarity, etc.) is the telemedicine walk-in clinic. Unlike a traditional walk-in clinic, you won’t physically be attended to by a doctor. Instead, a nurse will register you and triage you upon your arrival, continuing to assist you throughout your visit. The nurse will then facilitate your call with a doctor through highly secure video conferencing software, appearing over a large screen to help you along your healthcare journey. The patient, doctor, and telemedicine coordinator are all involved in a successful encounter. Typically, patients will have to make an appointment before coming in. The benefit of telemedicine walk-in clinics is that they tend to be faster. They also tend to have a larger roster of available doctors so you can receive care in a variety of languages or potentially from a doctor with a specific background if that is more comfortable for the patient. What’s more, many operate outside of regular business hours, while traditional walk-in clinics typically (though not all) tend to operate on regular business hours (think 9 to 5 or a similar schedule). The main drawback is that certain physical needs like stitches, PAP smears, casting/splinting cannot be served at a telemedicine clinic if the physician isn’t present at the clinic.

When Should You Attend a Telemedicine Walk-In Clinic?

Typically, you should visit a walk-in clinic if:

• You are experiencing symptoms and need fast access to medical care (not including emergency services)
• You have an infection or illness that requires medical attention (again, non-emergency)
• You have medical questions regarding symptoms, illness, etc.
• You can not get an appointment with a doctor or specialist in person and can’t wait for an availability to open up.

When Should You NOT Attend a Telemedicine Walk-In Clinic?

The main thing to remember is that telemedicine walk-in clinics are NOT substitutes for emergency services. While they may be fast, they do not have the appropriate staffing and resources to handle emergency medical cases. In the event of an emergency, please proceed to a hospital or call an ambulance.

What Services Do I Have to Pay for at a Telemedicine Walk-In Clinic?

If you’re looking for a telemedicine walk-in clinic in Ottawa, Toronto, or anywhere else in Ontario, and you’re a resident of the province, then you’ll receive free treatment for most services. Telemedicine clinics are covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). If you’re from out of the province, you may need to pay a fee. In Ontario, that fee typically varies between $50 and $150. That means you’ll have access to:

• A medical examination
• A doctor’s consultation
• Medical procedures that can be performed at the clinic
• Written prescriptions, though the medicine itself will cost you depending on age, private insurance plan, employer insurance, etc.
• Laboratory requisition forms and resources

Do I Need to Visit a Walk-In Clinic In-Person to Speak with a Doctor?

Yes, you will need to visit a participating walk-in clinic location to benefit from the services of a telemedicine walk-in clinic. At MD Connected, we have over 30 walk-in clinic locations across Ontario. Click here to find the walk-in clinic location nearest you. That said, due to the improving technology of video conferencing technology, as well as the complications induced by COVID-19 when it comes to in-person meetings, many Canadians have turned to virtual care. If you can’t make it to one of our walk-in clinics, you can always connect with a doctor or nurse practitioner through our website. To book a virtual appointment and connect with a doctor or nurse practitioner, click the “book a virtual visit” button on our website and request an appointment. It’s that simple. If you live in Toronto or anywhere in Ontario, the virtual doctor’s appointment is free of charge, covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). With telemedicine clinics and virtual care options, you can interact with healthcare professionals while being able to access a larger roster of doctors available online. They can also ensure a rapid and stable connection when communicating with your doctor. Between in-clinic or virtual visits, simply can pick the service that’s right for you.

Find a Telemedicine Walk-in Clinic That Can Tend to All Your Needs with MD Connected

MD Connected is a leader in quality telemedicine across all its clinics operating in Canada. In addition, we offer industry-leading virtual care. With us, you’ll receive personalized virtual care and telemedicine services that are tailored to address your individual needs and medically related questions. Tens of thousands of Canadians have already benefited from MD Connected, accessing general consultations, prescription renewal, sexual health, mental wellness, travel health, and sick notes and forms. Our team is led by a diverse group of doctors with varying backgrounds, and we provide our specialty services in multiple languages. To learn more about MD Connected, contact us by visiting www.mdconnected.ca or e-mail us at mydoc@mdconnected.ca.