The Doctor Will See You Now – Online!

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South Louisiana Medical Associates is now offering HIPAA secure telemedicine visits.

 

It’s understandable, in these times, that appointments in the office are not always convenient or desirable. SLMA recently began offering online telemedicine appointments, allowing patients to receive the same quality care at home as they to with an in-clinic visit. No need to take time off work, find a sitter, or deal with traffic in order to meet with our providers. Patients can access their medical provider from anywhere using your tablet, smartphone, or desktop/laptop with a microphone and camera enabled.

 

“Patients can be seen for a variety of reasons, and we are working to make sure your medical care in uninterrupted at this time, while people are trying to stay home and away from other people to keep everyone healthy,” said SLMA Family Doctor, Danielle Angeron, MD.


 


 

The telemedicine services started this this week.

SLMA recognized that they did not want their patients coming out unnecessarily, being exposed, exposing others, mingling in the waiting room, that type of thing. But they also wanted to be able to provide care in the best way that they could.

 

“Within 24 hours we were able to get a telemedicine program up and running, which was pretty remarkable,” shared Dr. Angeron. “And it’s been great. So we’re doing both sick and well visits this way, if appropriate.”


 

She continued, “For example, our elderly patients who don’t need to be leaving their house right now and might need their blood pressure medicine refilled or say,  ADHD medicine, which under normal rules cannot be done through telemedicine because of controlled substance laws. We can right now do those things. It’s really about keeping people out of our office, staying in their homes, but still getting the care that they need. For the patients who have sick symptoms and they don’t know what to do, it’s keeping them home and keeping the exposure to other people in the community low, but while still helping them address what do they need to do: Do I need to come in? Do I need to be seen? Do I need to go to the ER?”

 


 

The process to move to telemedicine is easy, even if you are a new patient. Prior to the pandemic, some insurance companies didn’t cover telemedicine, but as of now, they are all open to it, including for new patients. It’s as simple as a call to the doctor you wish to see (as long as they are listed below) and schedule an appointment. They will ask you a few questions to determine telemedicine is appropriate for you, then either text or email you a link. When it’s time for you appointment, you simply clink the link to join the virtual waiting room. You sign in by typing your name – no need to “create an account” or enter any other information.

 

In order to prepare for your visit, it can be helpful to have a few things from around your home ready for your appointment, such as a thermometer or a blood pressure cuff. As with any appointment, have a list of your current medications ready.


 

As far as what types of symptoms can or can’t be visibly seen or heard over telemedicine, you’d be surprised what they can help with.

 


 

“So while I can’t listen to your lungs or your heart rate, I can see your respiratory rate if we’re talking, I can see if you seem to be in respiratory distress: can you speak full sentences without having a cough or stop and catch your breath,” shared Dr. Angeron. “By using the light on your phone, I can see the back of you throat or get a closer look at a rash.”

 

The quality of your phone or computer camera helps as well. The better the internet connection, the less lag time, the clearer the video is going to be.


 

Patients can schedule appointments in Primary Care, OB/GYN and Endocrinology at the following locations with the following providers:

• Family Practice – 181 Corporate Drive, Houma | 985-262-1639 • Dr. Danielle Angeron and Heidi Cehan, NP

• Internal Medicine – 1302 Lakewood Drive, Morgan City | 985-300-5438 • Dr. Carla Thurston and Maria Williams, NP


• Women’s Clinic – 165 Corporate Drive, Houma | 985-360-3755 • Drs. Sheena Duplantis and Elena Mann

• Endocrinology Clinic – 165 Corporate Drive, Houma | 985-360-3755 • Dr. Miriam Menhem