COVID-19: Should I Keep My Doctor’s Appointment?

For your convenience, virtual telehealth appointments can now be scheduled with many Scripps primary care and specialty physicians. Virtual appointments will allow you to continue receiving the best care — helping you manage certain conditions or symptoms you might be experiencing—without leaving home.

“Your health and your family’s health is always a priority for your doctors,” says David Wetherhold, MD, Scripps chief medical information officer for ambulatory care.“Physicians are there for you, especially during a crisis, to provide you the high-quality care you need and to help you keep up with your regular medical appointments.”

Before rescheduling a routine or follow-up visit with your doctor, check your virtual care options, and see if you can have a telehealth video visit. Many primary care and specialist appointments can be completed through a video visit rather than an in-person visit, including Medicare wellness exams. In general, if your condition doesn’t require an in-person physical examination, a video visit may be a good choice for you to receive care safely and conveniently.

“Telehealth has expanded how patients can receive optimal care,” says Dr. Wetherhold. “Providers see a patient in real time, face-to-face, so we can read visual cues and ask the appropriate questions.”

For instance, using a video visit, a doctor can observe skin tone, gait or walk, rate of breathing and clarity of speech. Are you pale or breathing shallowly? Are you in bed or walking around while talking? Your doctor may also ask you to move your joints, assess pain in specific areas or move the camera to view your eyes, throat or skin rashes. If needed, your doctor can send a prescription electronically to the pharmacy of your choice.

Check with your doctor’s office to determine if a video visit is appropriate and how to get set up. In some cases, a telephone visit may also be offered.