Is
Telemedicine for You? B Y
T I M
G I L M E R
y now, as the age of Zoom seems here to stay, many of us have experienced at least one or two telemedicine visits with a doctor. The obvious advantages of talking with your doc on a screen at home are mostly related to convenience. It takes less time, less energy and even less cost when you figure in transportation, not to mention time away from work. This is especially true for those of us who have mobility challenges and already work from home. But there are potential downsides. For me, in the last five years or so, I have had more doctor appointments than at any other time of life, no doubt due to my advancing age and more frequent complications. Zoom appointments have worked well for me, but not always. Of course, people of all ages can be busy and beset with complicated medical situations. United Spinal Association’s Tech Access Group, which meets bimonthly to discuss access to technology for wheelchair users, is made up of mostly 30- to 50-year-olds. “A main topic we’ve been discussing lately is when telemedicine works best or not so well, for whom, and what the future looks like when remote medical appointments seem to be gain-
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NEW MOBILITY
