Overdrive

January 2018

Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info

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26 | Overdrive | January 2018 W hether dealing with the common cold or something more serious, today's driv- ers have several options for getting a quick diagnosis, prescription medica- tion and possibly other treatment while on the road. That's due to the growth in tele- medicine and the number of walk-in clinics at truck stops. Smartphone technology allows drivers to chat with a doctor in a tra- ditional phone call or through an app or video call. This can be particularly useful when it isn't possible to find a truck stop clinic or a community clinic with truck parking, or when an otherwise available clinic is closed for the evening or weekend. Some services say they connect the cli- ent within minutes to a doctor or other health care professional and often can place prescriptions at a pharmacy of the driver's choice after a patient-provider relationship is established. Each state defines what determines that relation- ship, but the definition usually is satis- fied once a doctor performs an exam, according to the National Telehealth Policy Resource Center. In some states, you may be required to have a video chat with the doctor or send photos if symptoms are visible. One telemedicine service that can prescribe medicine based on a conver- sation is Dr. John's Medical Solutions, administered through Salus Telehealth's VideoMedicine app. Dr. John's offers truckers a telehealth program that pro- vides instant access to a physician in the state where the trucker is driving. The service costs $96 per year for a subscrip- tion, which includes the driver's family. "If a driver is out on the road and his 26 | Overdrive | January 2018 Overdrive | January 2018 Overdrive W hether dealing with the common cold or something more serious, today's driv- ers have several options for getting a quick diagnosis, prescription medica- tion and possibly other treatment while on the road. That's due to the growth in tele- medicine and the number of walk-in clinics at truck stops. Smartphone technology allows drivers to chat with a doctor in a tra- ditional phone call or through an app or video call. This can be particularly useful when it isn't possible to find a truck stop clinic or a community clinic with truck parking, or when an otherwise available clinic is closed for the evening or weekend. Some services say they connect the cli- ent within minutes to a doctor or other health care professional and often can place prescriptions at a pharmacy of the driver's choice after a patient-provider relationship is established. Each state defines what determines that relation- ship, but the definition usually is satis- fied once a doctor performs an exam, according to the National Telehealth Policy Resource Center. In some states, you may be required to have a video chat with the doctor or send photos if symptoms are visible. One telemedicine service that can prescribe medicine based on a conver- sation is Dr. John's Medical Solutions, administered through Salus Telehealth's VideoMedicine app. Dr. John's offers truckers a telehealth program that pro- vides instant access to a physician in the state where the trucker is driving. The service costs $96 per year for a subscrip- tion, which includes the driver's family. "If a driver is out on the road and his When you're ill far from home, finding a local doc often isn't practical, and getting sicker doesn't cut it. Now there are better remedies for remote care. BY MATT COLE Some truck stops offer clinics for DOT physicals and basic medical care. Another option for basic care away from home is telehealth services that facilitate talking with a doctor, who often can prescribe medication.

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