Texting Your Doctor? Is it Crazy or Actually Genius?
As a practicing ER physician for over 20 years, I’ve seen it all, from the minor scrapes to the truly life-threatening emergencies. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that timing matters. We all know that nothing beats the gold standard of an in-person doctor’s visit. But what happens when life gets in the way, and you can’t see your doctor when you need to?
That’s the big question, right? And it’s the elephant in the room: Can a quick text conversation with a healthcare provider really be an effective way to get the care you need?
Let’s face it, I’ll be the first one to say that nothing beats the human connection of an in-person visit when you need it. You can see your doctor face-to-face, they can do a thorough physical exam, and you have a personal interaction. And that’s the gold standard for a reason. The human touch matters.
But here’s the thing: while nothing is better than an in-person visit, what is worse than not being able to see a doctor at all? In the real world, it often takes weeks to get in to see your primary care physician (the average wait time is around 3 weeks!), and sometimes you’re feeling so terrible that the thought of dragging yourself to a clinic, dealing with traffic and waiting rooms, is just not possible. Waiting for care can be a risk all on its own.
I’ve seen countless patients in the ER who came in with complications of conditions that could have easily been avoided if they had just seen a doctor earlier. I remember a recent case, a middle-aged woman who knew she had a UTI, and had even scheduled an appointment to see her doctor – 7 days out. She tried to manage it with over-the-counter medications in the meantime but, unfortunately, ended up in the ER with sepsis from a kidney infection. All of that because of an untreated UTI that could have been easily managed had she seen a doctor earlier. That’s where Tap Telehealth can help.
Tap Telehealth isn’t about replacing in-person care; it’s about filling the gaps. Here’s the thing: a doctor’s office visit is often a single, isolated event. You get your diagnosis, treatment plan, and then… you’re sent on your way. We all know that we all have a hard time remembering everything we were told once we leave the office, and we all have questions once we get home or pick up our medications. Traditional care can sometimes feel like a “one and done” approach.
That’s where we are different, at Tap Telehealth we don’t just see you as a singular event, we stick with you, every step of the way, until your symptoms resolve. We make sure you understand the treatment plan, that you pick up those medications, and that you’re improving. We also understand that sometimes a text is not enough, that is why if necessary we can also progress to an audio or even a video call if needed. We don’t need an appointment, our average response times are just a couple of minutes. We are with you through your whole journey.
Being text-based allows us to maintain constant communication with our patients. We’re also not just a one-and-done provider; we’re with you every step of the way. We proactively check in to make sure you have the medications you need and that our treatment plans are working. Plus, our service covers your entire family, which means no more dragging the whole crew to the clinic when one of the kids feels sick. Affordable care, accessible for everyone in your family. All this at a flat monthly fee that never increases, no matter how often you use us! No co-pays, no hidden fees – just straightforward, affordable care for your whole family!
With Tap Telehealth we’re not asking you to choose. We aren’t a replacement for in-person care but a bridge to better health. We also understand that sometimes you do need to be seen in person, that’s why every visit with Tap Telehealth ends with the option to be referred to an in-person visit with a local community doctor or specialist when that is the right thing to do. Sometimes the right choice is in-person care, and we will help you get there.
So, can texting be an effective way to receive care? I think so! And at Tap Telehealth we’re here to provide you and your family with the convenient, accessible, and effective care that you need, and to help guide you to the right place when that is not us.
We might not be able to do everything your regular doctor does, but we can sure make getting the right care a whole lot easier. We’re here to support you, just a tap away!
Ready to experience the convenience of Tap Telehealth? Tap into our services today and discover a better way to care for your health!
