Utilizing Telemedicine Tools and Staying Connected

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PATIENT EMPOWERMENT NETWORK

Foreward As Myeloma Network Manager for Patient Empowerment Network (PEN), it is my pleasure to write the foreword for this 3rd volume of the PEN-Powered Activity Guide. This month’s guide focuses on Utilizing Telemedicine Tools to Stay Connected. This alternative way to provide care and connect with the patient has expanded rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is likely to continue to grow in popularity moving forward. I was fortunate to be able to discuss and demystify this new paradigm of patient care during an informative interview I had recently with Dr. Joe Kvedar, President of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA). As Dr. Kvedar and I discuss, some of the benefits of telemedicine are that it makes it easier for patients with chronic illnesses to access healthcare providers without leaving their home, or when traveling some distance to a medical appointment may present a challenge. As a Myeloma patient, I have found that my telemedicine appointments have enabled me to save my (limited) energy and time, and that interacting with my doctors via secure video through a patient portal or by telephone has been very convenient. As with all appointments, I have gotten more out of the telemedicine visit when I prepared ahead by making a list of questions, concerns and topics that I wished to discuss and used that as a guide to ensure that the session addressed everything that was important to me. It has also been easier for me to take notes while on the video session, which is sometimes logistically harder in person. Medicare and my secondary private insurance have covered these sessions seamlessly. Check out my conversation with Dr. Kvedar starting on page 5 of this issue.

It is my hope that this activity guide will provide relevant information and useful activities for patients who live with chronic disease, including their caregivers, and families.

Honora Miller, MSW (MSS, MLSP) Myeloma Network Manager Myeloma Warrior since 2015

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