Some of the hardest specialists to get in to see, including psychiatry, endocrinology, gastroenterology and hepatology, pulmonology, and rheumatology, can mean waiting months for an appointment and traveling hours to get there. Through a partnership with Avel eCare Specialty Clinic, area patients can now see these specialists sooner, without the long drive, at Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood.

What a Visit is Really Like: Toni’s Story

Glacial Ridge Hospital began offering eCare specialty visits in August. By mid-September, Toni H. of Glenwood was meeting with a gastroenterologist. Here’s how she describes the visit:

“I was uncertain what to expect from my online doctor appointment with a gastroenterologist in Georgia. Chelsey, the nurse, took my vitals and checked my medications list, then explained what to expect during my video appointment with the doctor.

She said I would be alone in the room with the doctor on the screen. The video picture and sound were sharp and clear as if we were speaking in person. He was very professional and kind. The appointment itself was very helpful and gave me the opportunity to consult with a specialist that otherwise would have been difficult to see because of the distance. I left with a better understanding of what I’m dealing with and how to proceed. After the successful visit, I’ll go to my follow-up appointment with no apprehension.”

How an eCare Specialty Visit Works

• A nurse gets you started. At Glacial Ridge Hospital, a nurse takes your vitals, reviews your health history and medications, and explains what to expect.
• Your specialist joins by secure video. Every specialist is board certified.
• The nurse helps with the exam when needed. Depending on the specialty, the nurse uses equipment that the specialist can see and hear in real time.
• You leave with a plan. The specialist answers your questions, builds a care plan with you, and shares it with the provider who referred you.
• One nurse handles next steps. The same nurse coordinates any labs, imaging, prescriptions, or follow-up visits.

“For too long, getting appointments with these types of specialists meant our patients had to wait months and travel hours. These clinics change that, so patients get the same expertise, here in Glenwood, far sooner, with one nurse who helps coordinate their care from start to finish,” said Heather Hanson, Director of Nursing.

Specialties Now Available at Glacial Ridge

Endocrinology

When you’re worn out, managing diabetes day to day, or noticing changes you can’t explain, an endocrinologist can help. Care focuses on the hormones and metabolism that affect your whole body, including Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, thyroid conditions including nodules and cancer, osteoporosis, PCOS, high cholesterol, low testosterone, and other adrenal, pituitary, and hormone disorders.

Rheumatology

When joint pain, stiffness, or fatigue makes everyday tasks harder, a clear diagnosis and a plan can give you your days back. Care covers rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and other joint, muscle, and autoimmune conditions.

Psychiatry

Psychiatrists are in especially short supply in rural areas, and a long wait is the last thing you need when you’re struggling. This service offers faster access to diagnosis and medication management for ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, and other conditions, along with counseling.

Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Get help when stomach trouble starts deciding what you eat, where you go, and how you feel. Care includes acid reflux (GERD), IBS, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, diverticulitis, ulcers, and ongoing abdominal pain, plus liver conditions like hepatitis, fatty liver, and cirrhosis.

Pulmonology

Catching your breath shouldn’t be a daily effort, and a good night’s sleep shouldn’t feel out of reach. This specialty treats COPD, asthma, sleep apnea, chronic cough, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, and lung infections.

How to Get an Appointment

Ask your primary care provider for a referral, which your insurance company may require, or call 320.634.4521 with any questions.