Telemedicine takes off in COVID-19 era

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – It’s been around for years: telemedicine, where patients are seen by a doctor through a smartphone or tablet.

Up to now, telemedicine has been somewhat slow to catch on for both patients and healthcare providers. But now, with patients being advised to stay home to avoid exposure to COVID-19, telemedicine is catching on.

Doctor James Allred of Graves-Gilbert Dermatology says his patients like receiving care while practicing social distancing and if a case seems serious enough, many times a patient can be seen in the office quickly.

He also says he expects telemedicine to be permanent offering once the pandemic subsides.