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As diabetes clinics in the U.S. are seeing more patients in person, do you prefer for your diabetes appointments to be in-person or virtual?
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The screens are becoming overwhelming so for this particular reason, I would prefer my appointment to be in person.
Without in person visits I can’t get my A1C, luckily I never had to do a virtual visit.
I like to have a relationship with my doctors. Seeing them in person seems to be the best way to build that.
I think a combination. My endo has both and I do both. However, my CDE is way too valuable she is always in person.
I have mixed feelings on this. It gets frustrating when my provider argues with me about the way I care for my diabetes, and then tells me he only has 1 other patient who has as good control as I do. Sometimes I just want to skip the visit to avoid such discussions, but otherwise, I much prefer face-to-face meetings with my doctors.
My previous Endrocrologist like in-person appointments, which I did too since we had a long relationship. She retired last year. I’ve seen the new Endrocrologist only via televisit. It’s hard to build new connections that way. I don’t know if it’s worth trying to go into the office at this time since I’m planning to move in the next year.
I prefer online since most of the time my endo tells me I am doing fine and don’t change a thing. I knew that before going to see the endo! And I would rather not be possibly exposed to Covid in the waiting room.
The option for virtual office visits presents lots of advantages to many groups. Personally, I prefer in person because I’m not centered in a group receiving those advantages and like personal contact.
I don’t have a preference.
I believe the in person appointment allows the doctor to get a better look, take a blood pressure reading, temperature, pulse, foot examination, and blood tests- A1C and other.
Exactly. If something can be resolved by telehealth, you probably do not need to see a doctor. My husband had one telehealth visit and all that happened was that he was told to come in for tests. So it was no longer going to be remote.
I prefer virtual so I don’t have to travel. At least for my Endo. I make my own setting changes etc. So, labs are my only concern.
I feel since we’re basically going over numbers from my pump, that virtual makes the most sense.
Either, but getting to the age where Medicare will decide for me. I share my Dex with my Doc. but I need in person for Tandem Data and Blood draws
I’d like to see my endocrinologist in person at least once a year. When is turn to se the nurse practitioner that supposedly manages my pump it’s convenient to do it on line.
On line visits could be very convenient times, but personal contact with doctors is important too.
I always get anxious for In-person appointments. So I have gotten spoiled😊 I do have an in-person appointment in 2 weeks though!
While teleconference is OK, you get more out of being in the same room with someone; more focus, better interpretation of gestures and facial expressions.
I only prefer in person visits because that is when I get Prolia shots, plus I like face to face conversations since I live alone.
I prefer televisits. No need to spend time driving there, waiting in the waiting room at home I can be doing other things until the call comes), no scolding about my weight (that’s the favorite activity of the intake nurse (she says it loud enough for the entire waiting room to hear – scale is just around the corner, and I wear a size 0-2 so my weight is fine),. I get my labs drawn tat the lab, and upload using T-connect, which shows pump and Dexcom data, every month.
I put both. Most of my endo visits are focused on reviewing pump/CGM downloads, which I feel can be achieved virtually. However, it’s probably best to get at least one annual physical check of vitals, feet, and in my case thyroid, to make sure any related health issues don’t go unnoticed.
Although I marked “in person”, actually both would do. In my case, I moved here last August and have never met my diabetes person. Time for an in person visit.
I sometimes need to have televisits because I am out of town. My endo knows me well, so it works for now. I generally get more out of personal visits tho’. As I get older I have additional issues that could be addressed that are difficult to do in a televisit. For instance, frozen shoulder.
I think alternating every other appointment works best for me. If the virtual appointment is only thru a landline phone call I have problems clearly hearing my physician. I haven’t had a cellphone appointment with her. Three months ago I had a very good in person appointment. Yesterday had an in person appointment with my most knowledgeable CDE. We could have covered the same information by email or phone, but I was happy to actually see her. Not sure if my October endo appointment will be virtual or in person. I always try to get any necessary labs done several days before so results can be discussed during the appointment along with t:connect pump and CGM reports. I don’t want to waste her time or mine.
I also use teleconferencing when that option seems appropriate!
I answered some virtual and some in-person. If appointment is only to review pump/CGM data and lab results, then a virtual appointment is perfect. However, if endo is checking foot health or T1D complications (i.e. neuropathy), an inperson visit is preferred