Digestive issues can be very disruptive to everyday life. It can be very difficult to schedule doctor's appointments around your busy schedule. In recent years, telehealth services have become more accessible to patients for treating digestive issues.
Telehealth may be the easiest solution to treating a digestive issue. It uses technology to deliver patient care and consultations. Telehealth appointments are a fast and easy way to stay safe and work around a tough schedule. Telehealth has also been shown to keep patients and providers satisfied.
In this post, we will discuss what telehealth means, how it can be challenging, and what types of digestive issues can be discussed via a telehealth appointment. We will also compare telehealth to in-person care and how you can find telehealth services available in Connecticut.
Telehealth services are any medical appointment that uses technology as the main medium for communication between patient and doctor. There are quite a few modalities in which you can talk with your doctors about your digestive issues.
This can include using any of the following right from your desktop, laptop, or phone:
Many studies have shown that telehealth services are important in treating digestive issues. Telehealth services have almost become a standard of care during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, for years now, there has been a strong push to improve the United States healthcare system.
The improvements that are necessary for a better United States healthcare system fall into the following three categories:
You may be wondering why these improvements are important and how they are connected to telehealth and telemedicine services. Well, implementing an increased number of telehealth services or visits can:
As telehealth services continue to evolve over time, they will become vital to managing and treating digestive issues. If you don't know the difference between Telehealth and Telemedicine then read more here.
You can see your primary care physician or a specialist, like a gastroenterologist, to discuss your digestive issues. Nowadays, you can schedule a telehealth visit to discuss your digestive issues. Sometimes, it may be more beneficial to do a consultation via a telehealth appointment before going in for an in-person exam.
There are quite a few people you can see for a telehealth visit to get your questions answered:
Working with a dedicated team of doctors is important to creating the most effective, personalized care plan possible for addressing your digestive issues. One such company that has a team of providers in Connecticut is VirtualWalkinCenter.com, This company has medical providers that can evaluate and treat common digestive issues. If they are not able to come up with a solution, they can refer you to a gastrointestinal specialist.
The following chart discusses common digestive issues that are easy to discuss over a telehealth visit:
| Commonly Discussed Digestive Issues | Short Description of Issue | Key Reasons to Use Telehealth |
| Chronic pancreatitis | Causes acid reflux, abdominal pain, and changing bowel movementsInflammation of the pancreas | Discussion may warrant more testing or screeningsOnce diagnosed, can improve the monitoring and management of any prescribed medicineUsed to address potential causes, which can lead to a diagnosis |
| Constipation | Straining while trying to pass stool can also be considered a symptomUnable to pass stool or more infrequent bowel movements | Discuss bowel movements, medical history, and your lifestyle to narrow down a causeSolutions could include over-the-counter medications, a prescription, or at-home changes you can make to your lifestyle or diet |
| Crohn's disease | A type of inflammatory bowel diseaseCauses abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutritionPrescription medicines are used to control symptoms | Allows for easy engagement and education of patientsEasy to manage prescription dosages or any other adjustments that need to be made to medications |
| Diarrhea | Consult a doctor if diarrhea lasts longer than two daysSimply put, diarrhea is an excessive number of loose and watery bowel movements | Allows the doctor to see how you lookDiscuss solutions without having to leave the houseMay prevent worsening symptomsThe provider can better understand any underlying medical conditionsReviews present medicines, as they may be causing the problemTreating it early will help prevent dehydration |
| Hepatitis C | Can cause liver failure and liver cancerTreatment is availableViral infection | Allows patients from remote and rural areas to get the necessary access to hepatitis C treatmentCan practically manage prescribed medicinesMonitors and addresses side effects which greatly improve patient outcomes as finishing the medication is vital to clearing the infection |
| Indigestion | A burning sensation in the upper abdomenCommonly referred to as dyspepsia by doctors | Can prescribe new medications if current medicines are the culpritOpen discussion with a doctor can identify the cause of your discomfortReviews your medical history to understand if any side effects are causing the problem |
| Irritable bowel syndrome | Causes abdominal pain, cramping, gas, diarrhea, or constipation | Allows patients to meet with doctors during flare-upsEvaluation and recommendations can be made based on symptomsPossible solutions could be diet or lifestyle changes, medicinesSome doctors may prescribe teletherapy to reduce symptoms |
| Liver cirrhosis | A type of chronic liver damageCan lead to liver disease or liver failure if not properly treated | Found to effectively reduce the number of hospital admissions for patients with cirrhosis Monitor symptoms and create avenues for early detectionUse of scales and blood pressure monitors may be necessary |
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms related to these digestive health issues, telehealth is a great place to start receiving personalized care.
Talking about your bowel movements and other discomforts you have related to your digestive health can be difficult. If you are having trouble, you can start the discussion with the following:
Many studies suggest telehealth is a great choice for managing digestive disease symptoms and improving patient quality of life.
Even though it is a great option for many people experiencing digestive issues, there are some challenges you may want to consider. However, you must speak openly with your doctor once you have done your research on telehealth.
The following chart highlights the main benefits and challenges of telehealth:
| Pros | Cons |
| Being in the comfort of your own home Conveniently schedule appointments Easier to develop personalized interventions and treatment Easily track cyclical problems common with digestive issues Great for advisement and recommendations Overall easier access to healthcare Reduced travel costs (especially if specialists were far away) Staying safe at home | Being embarrassed to talk about digestive issues with an unfamiliar provider It does not provide the same hands-on care you would receive at a doctor's office visit Making sure to stay honest about your feelings and symptoms Not keeping an open mind because it is so different from an in-person visit Remaining relaxed might be difficult Potential for missing information Could misunderstand if you don't use the specific language Reduced verbal and non-verbal cues Not a replacement for diagnostic tests, screenings, or surgeries |
The most important thing to understand is that telehealth can't replace medical treatment, especially if you are experiencing an emergency. But telehealth can:
One of the most challenging parts of telehealth is making sure you have adequate access to technology. If you do not have the right technology, it may be a struggle to receive the care you need. If you are trying to schedule an appointment, make sure you have the following:
If you do not know how to solve a technology problem, you can discuss these concerns with:
Even though telehealth may pose some challenges, it is a very promising avenue to take if you are looking to explain your symptoms, find guidance, and stay safe. Telehealth has greatly expanded the types of services available to patients in need.
Some conditions are easier to discuss via telehealth and are actually much more suited to virtual visits. Many chronic illnesses that cause digestive issues fall into this category.
There have been a few scientific studies covered in a 2018 review article done on the effectiveness of telehealth for the following diseases:
The scientific review found that telehealth services are effective in managing digestive diseases. However, more studies are needed in the gastrointestinal field to increase the evidence supporting this claim.
If you need some ideas on what qualifies as a good reason to see a doctor using your office's telehealth services, look no further. If you are experiencing the following signs or symptoms, you can see a doctor via telehealth:
If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room. Telehealth services are not designed to handle emergency health issues.
Using telehealth appointments in your treatment and management of digestive issues allows for:
Any type of telehealth appointment is a great way to start getting treatment and deciding if you need to go to the physical office for an in-person appointment.
This is a widely debated question among doctors and other health care providers. The fact is that telehealth is a great choice for an ongoing or chronic illness. It is great for consultations on bothersome or painful symptoms that do not require emergency care but cause concern.
There are actually three different types of telehealth services that your care may fall under, which are described in the chart below:
| Type of Telehealth Service | Key Points |
| Store-and-Forward Telehealth | Dermatology, radiology, and pathology use this telehealth practice often. Diagnostic results can then be relayed over the phone or via a video call.Eliminates the need for an in-person examination Essentially covers the transfer of information collected from a patient to a specialist. |
| Remote Monitoring Care | Allows for frequent monitoringCommonly used in chronic disease treatments, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and gastrointestinal diseases.A cost-effective treatment plan that may include preventative care lowering costs in the long termIncreases patient satisfactionPatient self-tests or self-monitors conditions and symptoms |
| Real-Time Interactive Services | Actually is divided further into four more distinct areas of care: nursing, pharmacy, rehabilitation, and neuropsychologyAllows for a consultation to reduce time in the doctor's office if further care is neededOne of the most recognizable forms of telehealthUses phone, online, or home visits to care for patients |
Telehealth can cover a lot of areas of medicine effectively and with improved patient satisfaction. However, telehealth services can't solve every medical issue, and some questions or concerns require a physical exam.
For digestive issues and diseases, telehealth is an important practice to:
This is because many patients with digestive issues, disorders, or diseases do not adhere to the guidance provided by their practitioners. This non-adherence results in:
Telehealth can help prevent these results due to non-adherence from becoming a reality. Telehealth has been shown to promote the opposite results:
In all, for digestive issues, telehealth services can be very beneficial in conjunction with in-person care. Again, telehealth cannot be a substitute for in-person care. However, it can create an improved provider and patient experience.
Telehealth appointments are only going to increase in frequency as time goes on. Health care delivery is improved. Costs for the provider are also decreased. This is all great news! And telehealth is available in Connecticut for any digestive issues you may be experiencing.
There are a few ways to reach out to a provider to begin the process of scheduling your telehealth visit in Connecticut:
If you are looking for in-network providers, you can consult with your insurance provider. Many insurance providers have modified their coverage to include telehealth services. This means most of the time, a telehealth service will cost the same or have the same copay as an in-person visit.
In Connecticut, there are specific laws that the state has passed that influence the care you may receive from a provider in Connecticut.
Some important things to note from legislation passed in Connecticut include the following points:
For the most up-to-date information on Connecticut telehealth laws, visit the Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries website. They have extensive coverage of Connecticut's health care laws and legislation.
Digestive issues can be chronic and severely painful. For this reason, it is great to have the option to discuss symptoms, flare-ups, and other concerns promptly. Telehealth provides the perfect avenue to have all those needs met.
Many symptoms of digestive issues can be remedied with a telehealth consultation. Telehealth also allows for more frequent communication with your doctors if your needs change at any time.
If you are in Connecticut and having digestive health issues, schedule a visit here.
