Virtual Visit FAQs

Why Virtual Visits?

One of our goals as a medical home for children is to be as convenient and available to children and parents as possible. We have been exploring the potential of virtual visits for several years. The greatest barrier has been insurance companies who want patients to use their own telehealth providers or who don’t cover it at all. We strongly feel that all care for children should be integrated into their medical home. That is already true of all our local pediatric urgent care sites, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, pediatric specialists, Piedmont Henry Hospital, and after hours phone advice. We feel that telemedicine should be the same way. Virtual Visits can also improve follow-up of chronic medical problems like asthma, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. While we had planned on starting this program later in 2020, the coronavirus epidemic provided the perfect opportunity to start it up now.

When can I make an appointment for a Virtual Visit?

We currently offer Virtual Visits during regular office hours. Just call our office for an appointment. Then follow these instructions.

What kind of things can you treat in a Virtual Visit?

Virtual Visits work well and even improve care for chronic problems such as asthma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, constipation, development and behavioral problems, acne, and other conditions. They are also helpful for rashes and “does this need stitches?”.  Many breastfeeding issues can also be followed-up virtually.

During epidemics like the coronavirus where children and parents may need to avoid going out, the conditions treated can be expanded to many illnesses in children including runny noses, fever, cough, diarrhea, etc. This may not be ideal but virtual care is far better than no care, and care in the child’s medical home is better and safer than the urgent care or emergency room. A Virtual Visit for illness can start off virtually then the child can come to the office to have something like the ears checked or a strep test.

Is it good medical care? Can you really see and do everything you need to in a Virtual Visit?

Yes and no. No, it’s not always perfect or ideal, but in many cases can keep your child out of the emergency room or urgent care. When necessary, your child can come to have ears or lungs checked or whatever else is necessary after the virtual part of the visit. For many chronic conditions, yes it is good medical care. It may even make care better because follow-up is more convenient.

What if you realize you need to see my child in person, to look in her ears or something?

We start the visit virtually then have your child come to the office for the rest of the visit. During times like coronavirus, we may even be able to see your child in the car. You will be billed for only one visit, the office visit, not two.

What about well visits?

Some offices are exploring virtual well visits, where the child comes in later after the crisis is over for measurements and screening tests. We do not feel that this is the best idea nor is it necessary in our area at this time.

What do I need?

All you need is a computer, tablet, or phone with a camera and microphone, and a good internet connection. You do need your child with you as well.

What can we do to make the visit go smoothly?

It would be best for you and your child to be in a quiet location with good lighting. Your child should be in clothing that is easy to remove or lift for looking at breathing or rashes. For rashes and looking in throats, we have found that doing the visit on your phone is helpful because you have the light and the outward facing camera. You may need to limit streaming and other uses of your internet connection during the visit. For young children, have a toy or something there to calm or distract your child.

Is it secure? Are you recording the visits?

The doxy.me platform is completely secure and HIPAA compliant. The visits are not recorded. It is completely safe even for exams of a sensitive nature including diaper rashes and breastfeeding.