Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of telehealth has played an important role in patient care throughout the Brain Health Center and Emory Healthcare overall. Our use of telemedicine has soared during this time allowing patients to continue receiving quality health care while staying safely in the comfort of their own home.
What is Telehealth?
Through a service called Emory Connected Care, patients are able to consult with Emory Healthcare providers through the use of digital information and communication technologies, such as a computer, tablet or smartphone, all in the comfort of their own home.
“We want patients to be able to stay safe in their homes while maintaining access to medical care,” says Gregory Esper, MD, MBA, associate chief medical officer at Emory Healthcare and leader of Emory’s systemwide telehealth initiatives.
Historically, Emory has been an early adopter and leader in the telehealth field, beginning with the eICU program established in 2014 and a tele-nephrology program that began in 2017. As of late, our telehealth efforts have increased dramatically due to COVID-19.
Recent regulatory changes at the federal and state levels in response to COVID-19 have removed barriers that have prevented clinicians from performing telehealth visits in the past. Now clinicians can see and treat patients in their homes by using HIPAA-compliant audio/video technology such as Zoom or FaceTime and prescribe medications remotely.
Preparing for Your Brain Health Telehealth Appointment
Emory Brain Health Center’s Allan Levey, MD, PhD, professor and chair of neurology, provides patients guidance on what to expect with a virtual appointment.
“Cognitive [brain health] care is critically important, and even in this pandemic, we are continuing to provide outstanding neurologic, psychiatric, rehab, sleep and neurosurgical telemedicine visits to our patients at the highest level,” says Dr. Levey.
At Emory Brain Health Center, we strive to provide the same level of care during a telehealth visit as you would expect with an in-person visit. Telehealth offers an easier, and sometimes more cost-effective, option for health care to those who are unable to travel or may feel uncomfortable with an in-person visit during this time. During a virtual visit, patients can expect to discuss symptoms with their provider, have an exam conducted, get a prescription refilled and receive a formulated treatment plan by the end of their visit.
To determine if your appointment request is eligible for telehealth, contact your Emory provider’s office and speak to the staff. If a telehealth audio/video visit is deemed appropriate, you will be scheduled accordingly. If an appointment is not deemed appropriate for telehealth, Emory will guide you in the right direction for proper care, which may be an in-person visit conducted safely in one of our clinics.
To make an appointment, please call any of the department numbers listed below:
- Neurology: 404-778-3444
- Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences: 404-778-5526
- Neurosurgery: 404-778-5770
- Rehabilitation Medicine: 404-778-5770
- Sleep Center: 404-712-7533
Learn more about Telehealth at the Emory Brain Health Center
Emory Brain Health Center
The Emory Brain Health Center uniquely integrates neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry and behavioral sciences, rehabilitation medicine and sleep medicine to offer world-class, patient-centered care, treatment and discovery for brain and spinal cord conditions. Bringing these multiple specialties together allows more than 400 researchers and clinicians to work in partnership to predict, prevent, treat and cure devastating diseases and disorders of the brain more rapidly. These collaborations are demonstrated in numerous centers and programs across the Brain Health Center, including the Epilepsy Center, Pituitary Center, Stroke Center, Treatment-Resistant Depression Program and Veterans Program.
Emory’s multidisciplinary approach is transforming the world’s understanding of the vast frontiers of the brain, harnessing imagination and discovery to address 21st century challenges. Learn more about comprehensive, diagnostic and innovative treatment options at the Emory Brain Health Center.
or call 404-778-7777
