Sarah Howard
Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.
Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.
Used this method for an appt. with my Endo in June. While it meant I didn’t have to drive the 4 hours, I didn’t have the quality interaction I have come to appreciate in face to face encounters. I prefer in-person and have requested that for my next appt. if it is available.
I have had two endo appointments, a neurology appointment, and a cardiology appointment. They work for the interaction, but the lack of a physical exam leaves me unsatisfied. It also means a trip to the phlebotomist to get blood work done.
Used it, did not like it. Was moreof an acute situation and was just via telephone, not zoom. Could not convey enough of the issue to get help.
I have used it and I like it as an alternative, when necessary, to an office visit. I prefer an office visit when it is safe and practical.
Not a huge fan, but I have used it in the past.
I’ve used it, but prefer face to face visits with my physicians.
I am not afraid of discussing an issue with my doctor over a video chat, but I don’t see how a doctor can see my BP, listen to my heart and lungs, or take a blood sample. I am concerned about the security of the video link. I doubt I will be using it.
I like the opportunity that telehealth affords, especially when I go away from home for several months. I can get a visit in for Medicare purposes and I like being able to discuss with my provider things that are on my mind. That being said, I prefer to meet in person and get my a1c done and any other in-person things I need.
I’ve used it. But am not comfortable with it.
Telegraphy has a place in care. I have used it and I do like it, but I am looking to do two in person and 2 telehealth visits with my Endocrinologist. I do not see a go often as I generally don’t get sick. I see my endo the most out of all of my doctors.
I have used it, but feel that in person meetings with your care taker offer better quality.
I have used it because in March doctors were only seeing emergency patients in my area. I thought it was very impersonal and there was not blood pressure and heart rate tests of course. Really just a move people in and get them out and get paid by insurance.
It’s been my only option lately, so I’ll deal with it for now. But I look forward to in-person visits again.
I’ve used telehealth a few times, and outside of discussing blood test results (and really even including that) it seems quite POINTLESS. After each interaction my reaction was “couldn’t they have just emailed me that?” LOL
I have not used it. Not because I am hesitant but because I haven’t felt I needed to. I think some appointments can be handled effectively through telehealth.
I have used it and found it not nearly as good as in person visits. Doctors at Millennium health here in Florida charge the same the same for office and tele visits. Outrageous!
I have used it and while it went fairly well during the visit and saved 4 hours of driving, I was charged an extra fee for using the service and the office staff did not follow up with me as promised to give further information about pump settings as the doctor said they would rather than discussing it during the face to face meeting. It was a little rushed. If a provider is going to offer this service they will have to be diligent about following through and also give patients the same time they would give face to face.
I’ve used it. It works ok. I prefer in person visits, but that’s a personal, not a technical limitation, preference.
After one telephone visit I much prefer face to face appointments. Guess we communicate better in person and have more productive sessions. By phone alot didn’t get dealt with. Will risk exposure to see my caretaker in office.
Used it 3x in 2020 (first time using it) and I loved it! The appointments weren’t T1D-related but I plan for my wellness check (and after going in for labwork a couple days’ prior) to push for televisit since the lab work follow up was just a conversation anyway. Also loved that BCBS for my 3 visits had no copay.
I have used it but I feel that is useful just for renewing prescriptions as Medicare’s rules require a doctor’s visit every 3 months to cover insulin and pump supplies. It’s not a replacement for actual problems since many times you need more in depth check up or tests perform at the lab or simply the doctor to see you. I Have problems with my legs and need to see my podiatrist in person. Soon I’ll need to get my retina check up and that can only be done in person. So telemedicine is a patch not a solution.
Saves me a 45 min drive into town to see my Endo. I liked it and was super fast with no long wait in waiting room or actual treatment room. On and off the phone in 10 min.
I have used it, like it yet it is not the same experience as F2F.
It seems appropriate for some visits but not all. I don’t like going out to a doctor’s office if I am really not well.
I have used it three times this year with very satisfactory results. All I needed was information sharing and resulting medication. Clearly there are limitations. Many office appointments need close visual examinations or treatment – open wounds, ultra-sound, etc. Even if your computer camera or phone camera is well-focused, it won’t reveal every nuance of what is happening. So my conclusion is “it works well for most of my visits.
I’m very healthy and don’t need too many doctors. I have felt comfortable going to my primary once per year and my Endo without going virtual. Blood tests are really the worst and can’t do those virtually.
Yes and no.
You cannot do labs , get a flu shot or prolia shot from your computer. I am not against telehealth, just have not used it and hope that I won’t have to use it. Vaccines are promising!
You didn’t have an “I have used it and I DON’T LIKE IT”; which was the case for my T1 son. He prefers in-person visits. As for me, I prefer telemed visits because I don’t have to fight the traffic to get there. lol
I have used it and it works for the meantime due to Covid, but it’s not the same since my Endo can’t check my feet, blood pressure, etc., that are important. I am thankful we can at least see each other virtually, but I look forward to in-person appointments.
Since my Endo is a 2-hour drive away and we only discuss lab results and her recommendations, telehealth is perfect for me.
I like a mix of both. I like not having to travel, but it is good to do in-person too.
I have used it and I do not like it.
I use a commercial lab for bloodwork, the last “visit” was over the phone. While it’s odd, no big deal. I think a doctor can’t do their “doctoring” without really seeing the patient (one can say “I’m fine” but their mannerisms and appearance can also be indicative of health).I Trust this won’t be one of the “new normals.”
Eh, it’s okay for some medical appointments that don’t involve hands-on assessment & interventions. I had a telehealth appt with my cardiologist in late April. On one hand it was a waste of time because he couldn’t do an EKG, or listen to my heart and chest sounds. However, I did my own BP and weight at home and sent a transmission from my pace maker so it wasn’t a total loss. When I saw him in person last month he did a thorough head to toe assessment, including asking how I am dealing with personal & COVID stress in my life. With the podiatrist – I finally got in to see him in person about two weeks ago after not having seen him since February. With stable, yet vulnerable, Charcot neuroarthropathy joints in my feet, I need to see him every 2-3 months. A telehealth visit doesn’t do it when I need him to assess for subtle structural changes and to perform nail and callous care because of the neuropathic changes in my hands and fingers.
I have used it and I don’t like it.
I have used it and it’s ok. I prefer face to face for my endo appointment.
I have used it and it’s a “meh” from me. It can be incredibly hard to understand the doctor when technical glitches happen. Plus, I just prefer face to face. Getting the whole body language of the doctor… the doctor being able to see my whole person… it’s just better. A good thing about it is if I have a doctor who is far away from me. The video visits saving on a long commute is awesome.
My comment below (or above?) was NOT well written… it is confusing, but there is no way to edit it. Please disregard what I said… it just echoes what a lot of other people have said.
I have received 1 telehealth appointment. It was far inferior to a regular visit. I guess it was better than nothing though.
I am not afraid of the cost of telehealth, but do not like the quality of the service. I prefer face to face medical visits much more. So many things cannot be seen or answered over a video. A robotic doctor in everyone’s house whose data is updated regularly would be the next step after face to face visits.
I have used telehealth but do not care for it. I’d much rather see my doctors face to face.
It may be convenient but I don’t believe it can be as thorough.
I have used Telemedicine with my primary care doctor. I thought it was okay, but would rather see my provider in person.
I have used it and found it convenient but was charged the same as an appointment in person. My Dr.’s office required it at the time. Where’s the financial motivation in that?
I have used it and like it, but prefer in person
I used it. It was okay but I felt less connection with my doctor.
I have used it and feel it’s a waste of time. First of all, if you’re charged the same amount it is pretty worthless especially as it doesn’t seem like you are able to do the labs that are a requirement for diabetes care. Fortunately, my Endocrinologist and I have a very good relationship, and allows me to call or text her directly if I am having a problem which is rare. My prescriptions are handled immediately by someone in the office after a conversation with her. But she has followed me for over 35 years since I was in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and am still seen by the EDIC once a year. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/research-areas/diabetes/blood-glucose-control-studies-type-1-diabetes-dcct-edic. I feel I learned a lot about how to care for myself while I have been in this. My A1C is usually right around 4.9 or 5 which for me is a little too low since I sometimes have low blood sugars and my husband has had to treat me with Glucagon. But I am learning to not be quite so fastidious with my need to control my Blood sugar. Sometimes I take a break from using Dexcom because it causes me to overtreat since I am on MDI using Fiasp and Tresiba rather than an insulin pump which I’ve never liked.
I have used it and disliked it. I much prefer face-to-face, as does my endocrinologist.