Medidex Inc. (an innovative telehealth technology startup based in New York City) is transforming how people interact with their healthcare system with the release of their latest telehealth app, Medidex Connect, an online pharmacist chat portal giving consumers access to speak with licensed pharmacists 24/7 on-demand.
Key Takeaways
- With the current state of our healthcare system, it is no wonder that people shy away from getting the care they need and deserve because of cost and convenience (or the lack thereof).
- Modern technology, including virtual care and remote monitoring, allows healthcare providers to deliver patient care timely and efficiently. We have come a long way, but many people still need quality care despite the increased access to different telehealth options.
- Medidex’s vision is to help enable a system accessible to everybody, everywhere, at any time. The technology behind Medidex Connect bridges the gap in telehealth by providing everyone in the community with direct access to registered pharmacists through a user-friendly mobile app.
What is Telemedicine?
While telehealth benefits have become well-known during the past several years, did you know that telemedicine has been around for a long time? Thomas Bird, a professor at the University of Nebraska, coined the term telemedicine, which is translated as “healing at a distance.”
Telemedicine delivers healthcare services at a distance through technology, including virtual doctor visits and remote patient monitoring.
While telehealth and telemedicine are often used interchangeably, it’s important to note that telehealth is a broader term that describes a wide range of remote healthcare services, including telemedicine.
Telehealth utilizes telecommunication technology to provide remote health-related services, which can be clinical or non-clinical. Non-clinical services include public health education, continuing education, and training for healthcare providers.
On the other hand, telemedicine refers specifically to remote clinical services, including virtual doctor visits (live video appointments or audio calls), the most commonly known type of telemedicine. However, telemedicine has so much more to offer, for example:
- Remote monitoring — Healthcare providers connect or check in with their patients in the comfort of their own home.
- Receiving blood work and imaging results (X-ray, MRI, etc.)— telemedicine allows quicker access to blood work results and other screening tools.
- Reminders about upcoming appointments and routine screenings — reminders for mammograms, prostate exams, routine blood work, and many other health screenings. Telecommunications allow paperless reminders and guidance via text messages, emails, or phone calls.
- Managing chronic conditions—People with chronic health conditions usually require more frequent doctor visits; therefore, they will benefit from having a direct communication line with their healthcare providers. Telemedicine also gives them a tool to promptly inform their healthcare provider of any changes in their symptoms and health status.
- Mental health support and counseling—Telemedicine allows individuals with mental health conditions to connect promptly with their healthcare providers to help with a wide range of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), eating disorder, and many more. Telemedicine provides convenient access to healthcare providers and allows patients to have difficult conversations in the privacy and comfort of their homes, which is vital for those with anxiety, depression, or social phobia.
What is Medidex Connect?
Now that you know more about telemedicine and its benefits, let’s chat about Medidex, what we are, our vision, and what we have to offer.
Medidex’s mission is to develop secure and user-friendly digital solutions centered on patients, the consumers of healthcare services, to make their relationship with their healthcare system more convenient, affordable, and effective.
Medidex Connect, Medidex’s online pharmacist chat portal, offers a unique telemedicine service that can benefit a large population. It provides direct access to licensed pharmacists who answer medication questions accurately, using high-quality, evidence-based drug information. After all, pharmacists are known as the “medication experts.”
The best part? Beside the 24/7 on demand service, Medidex Connect is affordable, making quality healthcare more accessible to everyone.
If this is as beneficial as we say, why is online pharmacist chat, not a widespread service? We’re glad you asked; the answer is discussed below.
What makes Medidex Connect online pharmacist chat unique?
Pharmacists are crucial in telemedicine, especially in providing medication-related advice and counseling. While it’s difficult to say precisely how many telehealth requests from consumers can be serviced solely by a pharmacist, a significant percentage can.
This is where Medidex Connect’s unique service comes in, offering direct access to licensed pharmacists who can answer medication questions accurately, in high quality, and with evidence-based information.
While online telehealth tools are becoming more readily available, they are still expensive. A leader in telehealth, Teladoc, offers a 15-minute telehealth visit with a doctor for $89. With insurance, this can be as low as $0, but most plans have co-pays of $25+ for each visit.
There are now telehealth services for therapists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and even nurse practitioners for certain specialties, and most specialist services cost more than the general visits.
So, why not pharmacists? There is no billable code to speak with a pharmacist, so it’s not offered.
Places that provide such services online, such as the big pharmacy chains (CVS, Walgreens, etc.), are often free. However, with their extremely high demands for prescription filling, immunization, and troubleshooting issues with third-party payors, community pharmacists need more support to provide uninterrupted counseling. Not to mention, these chain pharmacies perpetually operate while being short-staffed, so community pharmacists already overextending themselves.
What does the Medidex Connect online pharmacist chat have to offer?
Medidex Connect offers a user-friendly app on the App Store (for Apple users) and Google Play (for Android users). Our mobile app is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, connecting you with a licensed pharmacist in the privacy and comfort of your home.
- 1:1 pharmacist chat: Using our mobile app, you can get quick answers to your medication questions from a pharmacist through live chat. While we focus on providing a timely, convenient service, you can rest assured that securing your private health information is our utmost priority.
- 24/7 on-demand service: Not only do you have access to accurate, high-quality information regarding your medications, but Medidex’s licensed pharmacists are available around the clock to help you. This constant support is designed to give you peace of mind, knowing that help is always available.
- Access everywhere: Our app is available for iPhone and Android users, so you can chat with our pharmacists anywhere and everywhere at your fingertips.
Are you someone with a newly diagnosed health condition?
How often have you found yourself in a situation where you desperately search the internet for answers to questions about a new medication to end up with more than the necessary amount of information, which even causes you to feel more anxious and unsure?
With Medidex Connect, you can chat one-on-one with a licensed pharmacist to get quick answers to your medication questions. At the same time, you rest assured that the information source is credible and accurate.
Do you have one (or more) chronic health conditions that you’ve been dealing with for several years?
You’ve been diligently working to keep up with different medications, lab results, and specialist appointments. Your doctors and those around you often applaud how brave you are and how you’ve done a phenomenal job of caring for your health.
At Medidex Connect, we aim to provide a solution to promote people’s health while encouraging them to take ownership of their well-being, especially those with chronic health conditions.
Are you a parent of young children who works hard to balance the demands of every aspect of your life?
Is there not enough time in a day to fulfill all the requirements of your career and social connections while trying to be present with your partner and thriving to be the best parent?
Whether you have medication questions for yourself or your child, Medidex Connect’s pharmacists are available around the clock. Our 24/7 on-demand service offers you the convenience you deserve.
The bottom line on Medidex Connect online pharmacist chat
Knowing how to take your medication correctly, how it works, and what side effects to watch out for is vital for managing your current health problems and promoting your overall health in the long run.
Online pharmacist chat is not a replacement for doctor visits or emergency medical care, nor are online doctor appointments in many cases. Via virtual appointments, your doctors may instruct you to seek care at the nearest emergency department based on the information you provided during the virtual visit.
Meanwhile, Medidex’s pharmacists provide essential information quickly and conveniently so you can make well-informed health decisions. Because Medidex is so affordable, you don’t have to choose between prioritizing your health or groceries for your family. Check out Medidex Connect online pharmacist chat for yourself to speak to a pharmacist today!
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