Virtual Doctors Now In Dallas

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – A first of its kind tool is being used in Dallas to bridge the gap between your real world medical needs and the long wait to see a doctor in an exam room.

Children's Health, the parent company of Children's Medical Center Dallas has come up with a telemedicine kiosk under a spinoff brand known as Family Health.

This state of the art kiosk is currently being used inside Daugherty's pharmacy in Preston Hollow.

The kiosk offers patients; both children and adults a virtual examination experience using sensors and teleconferencing with a real life physician.

Patients sit in the private kiosk in front of a camera and can speak to the doctor in real time.

The sensors used to take a patient's vitals are administered by a medical professional known as a Telepresenter. That data is then relayed to the doctor who can diagnosis the condition and recommend treatment.

Tamara Perry, Children's Health Virtual Director said this tool will change the future of urgent medical care.

She said, "We've done the research. We know that it works. This is what our families are asking for."

The Family Health kiosk is not replacing an in person primary care physician. Perry said it should be used as a quick resource to address minor urgent medical needs like the flu, infections, and small burns.

Perry added, "It's a 1 on 1 environment."

In addition to the kiosk experience there is a mobile application, which allows patients who have already been seen by the kiosk doctor to then use video conferencing on a laptop, tablet, or smart phone for future consultations.

The service for both the kiosk and the app runs about fifty-five bucks.

Administrators of the program say a patient can also request a home doctor visit using the Family Health on-call app.

Perry said it's the "modern day house call", similar to ordering on demand car service.

Between the kiosk and the app a doctor is now being made available around the clock.

Perry added, "You're able to see a provider anytime, anywhere".

Right now the kiosk is only at Daugherty's Pharmacy in Preston Hollow, but Children's Health hopes to have many more pop up throughout North Texas.

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