Living with an autoimmune disease can make it more challenging and possibly dangerous to be in a waiting room with other sick patients. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic (before vaccines), being able to meet with your doctor virtually was a literal life saver for many.
Plus, physically getting to the doctor’s office with psoriatic arthritis when you’re in a flare can be literally painful. There’s no need to exacerbate these sensations by sitting in your car in traffic, climbing stairs, or sitting for many hours in an uncomfortable waiting room. Most of your symptoms can be discussed without being in the exam room. Ask your doctor if they offer telemedicine appointments. If they don’t, they might be able to give you a referral to a psoriatic arthritis healthcare provider or rheumatologist who does.
Saakshi Khattri, MD, is a rheumatologist and associate professor at the Department of Rheumatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
References
Dunkin, M. Need to see your doctor? Try telemedicine. Arthritis Foundation.
National Psoriasis Foundation. (2020). National Psoriasis Foundation forms COVID-19 task force.
Orenstein, B. (2020) Your doctor will see you now: Where is telemedicine headed? National Psoriasis Foundation.
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