Telemedicine

Telemedicine technology enhances the opportunities for our patients to receive their healthcare closer to home, eliminating the need to travel long distances to see a doctor. It also allows our providers to literally be in more than one place at a time, even if those locations are many miles apart.

Using this technology creates efficiency for our patients and providers by reducing travel and improves patient care effectiveness by eliminating distance as a barrier to accessing healthcare services. Our team is committed to providing our patients and providers alike the best experience possible when using this technology for patient care. We encourage evaluations of our performance for every encounter.

We are in the early phases of telemedicine and expect over time to further expand the use of this technology in providing SoutheastHEALTH services to patients throughout the region.

Telemedicine Services

Currently we offer various levels of Telemedicine Service in the following areas:

  • Endocrinology
  • Hematology

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Telemedicine?

You can talk to and see your doctors via a computer monitor and internet connection. The doctors examine and diagnose you with the help of special cameras.

Can all of my care be given using telemedicine?

No. Your doctor will tell you when you need a face-to-face visit. When you live far away from the doctor, telemedicine can save time and make scheduling easier for everyone.

Are my video meeting sessions with the doctor recorded?

No. The visit is just like an in-office visit. While a camera may be used to visualize a body part for swelling or other type of evaluation, the picture cannot be saved.

How secure is this device? Can anyone not in the room hear or see our session?

This device is as secure as being in the doctor’s office. The communication between Cape Girardeau and the outlying location is encrypted so no outside person can witness the interaction.

Tell me about the program and how do I use it.

  • There will be a person in the room with you helping the doctor with the exam. This could be another doctor, nurse or other healthcare person trained in this technology.
  • A video screen allows you to see and talk to your doctor. There may be a "picture in a picture" so you can see yourself as you talk to the doctor.
  • There may be more than one camera. One camera lets you and the doctor talk. Another camera is for the exam and to make pictures larger to help the doctor get a closer look.
  • The General Exam Camera magnifies what the doctor is able to see.
  • The Dermascope is used for a close look at the skin.
  • There may be a stethoscope so your doctor can listen to your lungs and heart.

Most treatments are based on the information you give to your doctor. The doctor uses the physical exam to make sure he or she understands the problem. Most health problems can be successfully managed using telemedicine. There are times when the doctor will ask you to come to the office for a visit.

Computer programs are not perfect and can fail. We have done our best to make sure all the tools and links work well for you and your doctor. There will be times the program fails because of reasons out of our control. In those cases, the healthcare staff member in the room will help you talk with your doctor.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to talk with any of the staff involved in your healthcare visit.