By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Patients say they want better, faster access to health care. OSF is offering a virtual solution.
No need to wait weeks to get to see your physician or waiting in the doctors’ office for hours. OSF Healthcare is offering access to medical care online through OSF OnCall. You can have a face-to-face video chat with a clinician 24-7.
“It does provide much greater access. convenience and in some ways lower costs, especially for minor conditions,” OSF Chief Transformation Officer Jeffry Tillery said.
Tillery called it a modern-day house call and is intended for more minor health issues, such as urinary tract or sinus infections, rashes, pink eye, cold or flu. No appointment is necessary.
“Perhaps at 2 in the morning, when you really want to get resolution whether it’s a child with pink eye or other issues,” Tiller said. “You really need to connect with someone and have reassurance and a diagnosis and even potentially a treatment.”
Patients with more serious issues can be brought to prompt care or the emergency department. Patients could also get a prescription.
Virtual visits cost $35 but there’s no fee if the clinician determines within the first three minutes there’s no need for treatment at a medical facility. Tillery said the average visit 30 minutes, with an average of 20 minutes of direct interaction with the medical professional.
Patients access it at www.osfhealthcare.org/virtualcare using their smartphone, tablet or computer.
OSF has clinicians working at a centralized locations serving all of its health care facilities in Illinois.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
