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Telemedicine services are part of our commitment to provide extraordinary experiences for our patients and families. Telemedicine is the use of audio-visual technology to deliver medical care when the patient and provider are not physically together.

Types of telemedicine at Children's Mercy

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Telemedicine at a regional center

You and your child visit a Children's Mercy regional center. A specially trained nurse facilitates the appointment while the provider joins through a computer. The nurse is with you to ensure the communication between you and the provider is exceptional and to help with the physical assessment.

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Telemedicine (virtual visits) at home

We also offer appointments online where children can be seen by a provider through a computer. We use a secure, private audio-visual solution to allow children and families to remain at home and still have access to Children’s Mercy providers.

See instructions for your telemedicine (virtual) visits

The benefits of telemedicine


Telemedicine supports access to health care providers by using secure network connections and devices to examine and deliver care when patient and provider are not physically together.

As a result, care can be delivered more efficiently and more kids can receive the care they need. Due to the advancements in technology, a Children’s Mercy provider can be virtually anywhere delivering the same high-quality care that is the Children's Mercy standard.

Commonly asked questions

A virtual visit allows you to access care from the comfort of your own home using a mobile device or computer. A virtual visit is very similar to a regular in-person office visit.

To begin your visit, you will access a secure video link provided to you by your provider’s office. Once in the virtual waiting room, your clinician will be notified and will connect with you through the video system. You’ll be able to interact in real time, review any labs or medications and communicate just as you normally would during an in-person visit.

Learn more about virtual visits

There is a telefacilitator in the room with the patient to ensure both the patient/family and provider have a quality experience. The facilitator does this by helping the provider with the necessary exam, ensuring that everyone can hear and see and that all questions and follow-up are managed just like with traditional appointments.

There is a video screen presenting the provider, and there may be a "picture in picture" so you can see exactly what the provider sees. In addition to the video screen, the telefacilitator may use:

  • A general exam camera to magnify anything the provider wants to see up-close in high definition.

  • A dermascope that allows the provider to measure areas on the skin.

  • An otoscope which is used to look into the ears.

  • An ophthalmoscope for looking into the eyes.

  • A stethoscope that allows the provider to listen to your child's lungs, heart and stomach.

This depends on the type and complexity of care required. There are times when patients and doctors still need in-person visits. Children’s Mercy providers will guide you and your child when it is appropriate for telemedicine and when your child needs to be seen in person.

Not usually. The doctors ask patients and families for permission through a consent form if they need to save pictures or recordings.

They are very secure. Even if an unauthorized line were to connect during a session, nothing could be seen or heard due to the level of security.

Stories

Delivering complex medical care via telemedicine: TJ’s story

Several complex medical conditions make visits to Children’s Mercy a challenge for TJ DeCow. Now, telemedicine visits are making it possible for TJ’s doctors to check in on him remotely, reducing his anxiety level, saving travel time to and from the hospital, and limiting time away from work for his mom.

Meet TJ
TJ having a telemedicine visit with Dr. John Rosen

Locations offering telemedicine

 


Children's Mercy St. Joseph 
(816) 236-6900

Children's Mercy Joplin 
(417) 578-2200

Children's Mercy Wichita 
(316) 500-8900

Children's Mercy Junction City 
(785) 579-4300

You may also contact us to discuss your telemedicine needs at telemedicinerequests@cmh.edu.