Connecting Patients and Providers, Virtually Anywhere

Virtual care services, also known as telemedicine or telehealth services, are health care services that are provided remotely using technology such as video conferencing, mobile apps, or other electronic communication methods. These services allow our health care providers to diagnose and treat patients without requiring them to be physically present in on of our hospitals or facilities.

UMass Memorial Health is growing our virtual health care capabilities every day to better serve our community and make seeing a UMass Memorial physician even easier.

Some common virtual care services include:

• Teleconsultations: Virtual consultations between patients and healthcare providers using video conferencing technology.
• Remote patient monitoring: Monitoring of patients' health remotely using wearable devices or other technology.
• Digital therapeutics: Use of digital tools such as mobile apps to deliver therapy or manage chronic conditions.
• Telepharmacy: Remote pharmacy services, such as prescription refills and medication management.
• Telepsychiatry: Mental health services provided remotely, including therapy and medication management.

Virtual care services have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when many patients were unable or unwilling to UMass Memorial Health in person. They have the potential to improve access to health care, reduce costs, and increase patient engagement and satisfaction. But UMass Memorial was a pioneer in the telemedicine arena and has continued to develop and enhance our telehealth practices for over a decade.

Telemedicine goes beyond clinicians simply consulting with one another. Instead, we leverage the knowledge and expertise of a dedicated team of professionals on both sides and use technology to bring them together around the patient. This targeted effort has proven to reduce readmissions, mortality and length of stay.