Primary care telehealth services now offered at Essentia Health-Spooner Clinic

The Essentia Health-Spooner Clinic is making it easier for patients to keep track of their health and access a wide range of expert providers by offering primary care telehealth services.

Clinic-based primary care telehealth is perfect for patients who don’t have the technology at home needed for virtual visits, as well as those who still want an in-person touchpoint. 

During a telehealth visit, patients come to the Spooner clinic. They are roomed by local staff and have their vitals taken and other routine, hands-on needs met. From there, they are connected with a clinician via the clinic’s telehealth cart, which features a computer, webcam and peripherals. Once clinic staff connect the patient and the remote clinician, the visit continues as normal, and the patient is able to discuss their specific needs directly with the provider.

The telehealth cart facilitates care you may not expect. With the help of our staff at the Spooner clinic, the remote clinician can listen to your heart and lungs and look into your ears, throat and more.

Telehealth appointments are similar to in-person visits. Clinicians will talk to you about your specific condition, symptoms and medical history. Based on your needs, they can prescribe medications, recommend tests or procedures and other treatment options. Telehealth is often used to treat a variety of things, including urinary tract symptoms, common colds, tick and other insect bites, and minor injuries such as sprains and pulled muscles.

“This is cutting-edge as far as primary care is concerned,” said Julie Sindlinger, operations director at the Spooner clinic. “It’s not a replacement for your local primary care provider, but rather a supplement to them. It is a way to enhance care by expanding patients’ access to include even more outstanding primary care clinicians throughout Essentia.  Telehealth is already in place in Spooner and being used by a variety of specialists who have different areas of expertise. We are thrilled to be able to expand primary care access using telehealth technology.”

Benefits of telehealth include local hands-on assistance, reduced wait times, increased availability of clinicians from across Essentia’s system and improved access to specialists.

Telehealth visits can be scheduled by your local clinic if they are appropriate for the level of care you need. 

Telehealth should not be used in emergency situations. Your local emergency room or urgent care are most suitable for immediate needs.