Towards a Virtual Office Visit and Patient-Centered Care
In an attempt to be of service, we are posting this page to allow you to tell me if you feel you need an immediate consult or visit. You may have a worrisome new lesion, a bad rash or some other issue. Some of these can be handled electronically -- but not all. Here's how to go about this.
You may use the ePatient Visit Form (not yet, it's under construction) or you can copy the questions below and then paste them in an email, answer them and send to me at DJ Elpern:
1. How long have you had the problem?2. Where is it located?
3. What do you think caused it?
4. Are you using any creams or other topicals already?
5. What medications do you take and are any new?
6. How uncomfortable are you?
7. How worried are you?
It is very helpful to attach some photos to the email if you if you can.
If possible, the photos are best taken in the "Macro" mode and daylight is better than artificial light (however some cameras will compensate if you know how to program them). Please don't send huge format pictures. 7.5 x 10 inches is as large as you need. Here's a good article on Digital Photography for Dermatology.
This is an experiment: an attempt to create a Patient-Centered Home. This idea was suggested to us by Dr. Rakesh Biswas, editor of the International Journal of User Driven Healthcare.
Thanks for joining me on this new path! DJ Elpern