One of the greatest challenges for patients who are feeling ill is when they are in need of care but just can’t make it to see a doctor. NYU Langone Health is using the latest technologies available to provide virtual urgent care to patients like this. This interview by ACCESS Health Chair and President William A. Haseltine with the Chief Medical Information Officer at NYU Langone and the head of its virtual urgent care program, Paul Testa, dives into the challenges and opportunities of providing virtual care.

NYU Langone Health has more than twenty board certified emergency medicine physicians staffing their virtual urgent care program. Anyone feeling ill can remotely schedule an appointment and have a face to face video visit with a certified physician. The visit mimics an in person visit. Doctors use NYU Langone’s integrated medical record system to get assess the patient’s medical history, evaluate symptoms, and develop a diagnosis and treatment plan. Physicians can also instantly electronically prescribe medications, order tests and imaging, or assist in arranging a follow up visit with a specialist.

In the interview, Dr. Paul Testa explains what the future of virtual care may look like and how it can be used beyond minor medical conditions and to treat patients for mental health issues, post surgical issues, and for urgent care.