The COVID-19 pandemic swept in many changes to the way we navigate our lives, from our working routines to our vacation planning. Medical care is no exception to the new way of doing things.
If you live with migraines, you may find some new twists to the doctor-patient relationship. Many doctors now choose to see their patients virtually for migraine care and management. It's called "telehealth" or "telemedicine." You can get some of the same services that you know from in-person care, such as screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care for migraines and headaches.
What Is Telehealth Medicine?
Telehealth is a type of health visit in which your doctor or other health care experts can provide care without you having to visit them in-person at an office, clinic, or a hospital. It can include phone calls, emails, or texts, using smartphones, tablets, or a computer.
Types of Telehealth Medicine
Video/audio chats. This type of doctor's appointment may include real-time audio-video chats with your doctor or other health care providers on a phone, tablet, or a computer. You may have to make an appointment just like you would for an in-person visit.
Your doctor may use this virtual appointment to do a remote evaluation. If your doctor isn't able to address your concerns remotely, they may suggest an in-person visit for a thorough check.
In certain cases, you may have a hybrid in-person health test with a nurse, physician assistant, or other types of health care providers. This can include blood pressure checks or a physical exam. This information may be passed on to the doctor to help them get a better picture of your health.
Online patient portals. In this type of remote care, images, messages, and other important information is uploaded to a secure messaging website. Your doctor may evaluate this separately at another time and respond to it, order prescription drugs, or provide health advice based on the information available. Both you and your health care provider will access the secure portal to exchange information and messages.
Remote patient monitoring. Sometimes you may need specific or specialized types of care that may not be easily available in the area you live in. In such cases, you may have to reach out to a specialist remotely from a distance.
Email or text communication. Your doctor or someone from your doctor's office may securely send test results or information about follow-up visits through email or text. This could include email attachments, images, and PDFs.
Benefits of Virtual Migraine Care
Access to care can help you manage migraine pain and keep up with your daily tasks. Sometimes, if an in-person visit isn't possible because of medical or social reasons such as health risks because of a pandemic or lack of access, telehealth can help fill the gap and let you continue your care.
The benefits of telehealth for your migraines and your overall health can include:
- Screens people who may have symptoms of COVID-19 so they won't risk spreading illness to others.
- Lets you know if you may need additional medical consultation or assessment.
- Gives you access to specialists, including those for mental health and chronic health conditions.
- Helps you manage your prescription drugs.
- Provides coaching and support for various migraine issues, including lifestyle and nutrition counseling.
- Lets you take part in physical therapy or occupational therapy.
- Monitors your blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and other key measurements.
- Gives you access to top medical care, especially if you live in a rural area or have limited ability to move or visit your doctor in person.
- Provides remote follow-up appointments after you've been hospitalized. This helps to lower your exposure to any virus or bacteria if your immune system is compromised.
- Gives you medical and planning advice if you or a caregiver need make a list of preferences in case of a medical crisis.
- Provides non-emergency care for your migraine issues.
The American Migraine Foundation sent out a survey to over 100,000 users via email or social media to get their views on telehealth. Out of 1,172 responses, about 58% said they had previously used telehealth for migraine care. Of those, nearly 90% said they would like to continue telehealth services to manage their migraine problems.
Limitations of Telehealth
While a virtual visit may save you time and a trip to the doctor's office and keep you safe during a pandemic, there are several limitations you may face.
These include:
- Doctor's office and health care regulations may vary state to state.
- Your medical insurance may not cover out-of-state doctor visits. Depending on the type of care you may receive during your virtual visit, your insurance company may not cover the charges. And your insurance may not cover out-of-state doctor visits.
- Virtual doctor visits may make it hard to discuss sensitive topics, especially if you have physical or emotional discomfort or certain privacy concerns.
- Virtual visits require technology and internet access. If you live in a remote area, internet access could be an issue.
- Without in-person physical exams, your doctor may miss or misdiagnose underlying conditions.
- Virtual visits cannot fully replace emergency medical care.
If your migraine or headache is too severe and you're unable to function properly, tell your doctor as soon as possible. If it's a medical emergency, call 911 or head to the nearest hospital.
