Telemedicine

Telemedicine provides a quick and convenient way to meet with your doctor from the comfort of home. At Laracuente HealthCare Associates, a private medical practice in Hallandale Beach, Florida, Fernando A. Laracuente, EdD, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, NP-C, and his team provide telemedicine consultations to people of all ages. Whether you’re on vacation and need to refill a prescription or you’re concerned about being contagious and don’t want to leave home, telemedicine can help. Call the office to request a telemedicine appointment or book one online today.

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine uses modern technology, like smartphones, tablets, and computers, to exchange medical information securely over the internet. It’s been used for more than 30 years, but it really took off during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many medical practices were forced to shut down to help “slow the spread.” 

What services does telemedicine include?

At Laracuente HealthCare Associates, Dr. Laracuente and the team use telemedicine to:

• Diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses
• Diagnose acute injuries
• Review lab tests 
• Review diagnostic imaging (i.e., X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans)
• Refill prescriptions 
• Provide referrals to medical specialists

Dr. Laracuente also uses telemedicine to monitor the progress of certain treatments. For example, if you enroll in medically supervised weight loss, he might recommend bi-weekly online consultations to ensure you’re staying on track. 

What happens during a telemedicine visit?

At Laracuente HealthCare Associates, Dr. Laracuente tailors telemedicine visits to each individual’s needs. Even so, most telehealth consultations include several steps:

Step one: Discussion of your symptoms

Dr. Laracuente asks about the reason for your visit and the symptoms you’re experiencing, including when they started, where they occur, and what they feel like. Make sure to let him know if certain activities, like exercising or working, make them worse.

Step two: Virtual exam

Next, Dr. Laracuente completes a virtual exam. He asks you to point your smartphone or web camera at the area of your body causing concern. For example, if you twisted your ankle, Dr. Laracuente looks at it for redness, bruising, or swelling. Then, he asks you to move your foot from side to side, so he can check its range of motion.

Virtual exams provide basic information, but if Dr. Laracuente suspects you have a fracture or a dislocated joint, he might refer you to a radiology facility for X-rays or a CT scan.

Step three: Treatment recommendations

After completing the virtual exam, Dr. Laracuente makes treatment recommendations. If you have an acute illness, like the flu, he might suggest drinking lots of water, taking over-the-counter medicine, and getting plenty of rest.

If you experience chronic back pain and Dr. Laracuente can’t determine the underlying cause, he has you visit the office in-person for a physical exam. 

Call Laracuente HealthCare Associates to learn more about the benefits of telemedicine or book a consultation online today.