5 Surprising Benefits of Virtual Primary Care 

Virtual primary care has opened new doors for many patients. You can access quality preventative, routine, and other medical services from home using your phone, tablet, or computer. Meeting with your doctor this way is convenient to be sure – but there are other advantages to this method of meeting with your provider. Discover these 5 surprising benefits of virtual primary care, and how they’re changing how we view healthcare.

Accessibility for All  

Visits that don’t require in-person assessment can be addressed quickly and accurately through virtual primary care. Mild illnesses or chronic conditions can be diagnosed and managed without the need to contend with long commutes, crowded waiting rooms, or scheduling conflicts. Medications can also be adjusted or refilled as needed through virtual visits. 

Virtual primary care visits can be done through just a few taps on a smartphone, tablet, or computer from the comfort of your home, or on the go from your car or hotel room. These secure video calls with your provider offer flexibility for those with busy schedules or mobility limitations and can be accessed by patients in remote areas – bringing convenient and accessible healthcare to virtually everyone. 

Continuity of Care 

Virtual primary care helps you and your provider pick up where you left off. Being able to select the same healthcare professional each time you meet keeps your care and treatment plans consistent and clear. And, with electronic health records, your provider will have your medical history to view and update along with your virtual visits. 

If your treatment plan involves a referral to a specialist, notes from your virtual visit can be easily shared to collaborate with other medical professionals. Notes from your primary care doctor, specialist, pharmacist, or other health professional can all be collated in electronic health records to make sure that your health records are kept up to date. This method of charting ensures that your entire medical team is on the same page. 

Improved Preventative Care 

Primary care isn’t just about treating illnesses when they pop up – it’s also about prioritizing your health with preventative and proactive measures. Regular virtual primary care check-ins enable you and your provider to discuss lifestyle modifications, preventative screenings, and early intervention strategies aimed at reducing the risk of chronic disease and promoting overall well-being. 

By empowering patients to take charge of their health and make informed decisions, virtual primary care contributes to better health outcomes and faster responses to conditions through early detection. The convenience and frequency of visits that virtual care provides make disease detection and prevention more effective. 

Enhanced Patient Engagement 

Virtual primary care empowers you to be at the center of your healthcare journey. Educational resources, self-management tools, access to online health charts and visit summaries, and appointment scheduling requests can all be accessed through virtual healthcare services. And, with additional online correspondence with healthcare providers through secure messaging, any questions or concerns that may arise in between your virtual visits can be answered quickly and accurately. 

Whether it’s asking for clarification on treatment plans, or exploring new medication options, virtual primary care offers patients more opportunities for questions and concerns to be addressed.  And, by being able to schedule and request appointments with just a few clicks, your healthcare is literally at your fingertips. 

Saving Resources 

The same high-quality care that you expect from your in-person visits with your primary care doctor is delivered through virtual primary care visits. While certain symptoms need to be evaluated in person, many illnesses or conditions that send people to seek urgent care can be addressed virtually. This takes the strain off of urgent care clinics and primary care offices and prevents the spread of contagious diseases. 

Conditions or symptoms that primary virtual visits can address include: 

• Congestion or runny nose 
• Sinus or tooth pain 
• COVID 19 or influenza symptoms 
• Fever
• Alergias 
• Cough
• Sore throat 
• Pink eye 
• Cold sores 
• Gout
• Vomiting or diarrhea 
• Heartburn
• Poison ivy/oak
• Eczema 
• Bridge medication refills 
• Oral contraception

The symptoms that always need in-person evaluation include: 

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath 
• Abdominal pain 

Streamlining Your Primary Care 

There’s no easier way to take control of your healthcare than through virtual primary care visits with Xpress Wellness Urgent Care. Available 12 hours a day, 5 days a week, our virtual visits are convenient and flexible to accommodate the busiest schedules. See how virtual primary care is revolutionizing how we view healthcare and discover how you can be fully present and active in your healthcare journey.