Healthy Focus

Eagle Creek Clinic Now Offers Virtual Visits

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that if you have been exposed to COVID‑19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Our community is diligently working to slow the spread of COVID-19 to help reduce the risk of exposure to ourselves and others through social distancing and staying home whenever possible. In response to this need, Eagle Creek Clinic now offers virtual visits from the comfort of your own home using Zoom. If you don’t have an emergency, starting with a phone call to Eagle Creek Clinic allows us to assess whether you can receive care from home.

Stay tuned as Transitions Health, Innovative Orthopedics, Paris Pulmonology, and Paris Women’s Center will be offering virtual visits soon too.

Always go directly to the emergency room if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, are bleeding or have any other severe symptoms.

It’s easy to schedule a virtual appointment with Eagle Creek Clinic. Here are the simple steps to follow:

Eagle Creek Clinic’s office hours are:
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Eagle Creek Clinic accepts most insurance plans. Please ask to speak with the office manager if you are unsure if they are in network with your plan.

Do you need to see a doctor? Not sure whether to see your primary care doctor, see a specialist or go to an urgent care center? Here is some guidance.

In general, you should start with your primary care physician for all your health needs. Because this person will be your go-to medical partner, it’s important to find someone you’re comfortable with. When the same person sees you over time, he or she learns important information about you—the whole you—that can be invaluable in keeping you healthy and catching problems early. The more you feel you can trust and be open with your doctor, the better care that provider can give you. Finally, your primary care provider can recommend the right physician and coordinate care should you ever need specialized care (for example, for a heart or musculoskeletal problem).

If you are having an urgent (but nonemergency) healthcare problem—for example, COVID-19 or flu symptoms or a sprained ankle—and your primary care doctor is not available, then it’s appropriate to visit an urgent care center. They have extended hours, and you don’t need an appointment. Online medical doctors, such as MDLIVE, can also provide fast and convenient help for nonemergency medical needs.

Regardless of which doctor you see, here are a few tips for getting the most from your appointment.

Be prepared. This is critical. Your doctor will try to address your primary complaint—the problem that brought you to the office. However, you likely have more than one issue you’d like to discuss.

Prioritize. Make a list of your questions or the things you wish to talk about, and then decide which ones are the most important. Start with those, and then work your way down the list.

Provide a complete picture. Make a list of all your medicines, supplements and vitamins, or—even better—bring the actual bottles with doses. Bring your medical records if you’re seeing a new doctor.

Don’t forget your insurance documents and contact information for other healthcare providers.

Complete forms ahead of time. If you are a new patient, Eagle Creek Clinic will inform you on how to handle any medical history or insurance forms when you call to schedule your appointment.

Speak up. Describe your symptoms and don’t hold back information because you feel embarrassed. The more information you provide, the better the doctor can care for you.

Ask questions. There’s no such thing as a dumb question when it comes to your health, so ask away. If you don’t get a satisfactory answer the first week, ask again until you do. Write down the doctor’s answers so you can remember them later.

Here are three specific questions to ask your doctor:

1. What is my main problem?
2. What do I need to do?
3. Why is it important for me to do this?

Include a friend or family member. Another set of ears can help you keep track of what your doctor said. This is especially important if you are discussing diagnosis or treatment for a serious medical condition.

BE PREPARED FOR YOUR VIRTUAL VISIT.
Questions your doctor may ask you:

• What are your symptoms? Make a list before your appointment—don’t leave anything out.
• When did they start?
• How long do they last?
• What makes them better or worse?
• What medications, vitamins and supplements are you taking?

Again, to schedule a virtual visit with Eagle Creek Clinic, call 731-407-7013.

Remember, always go directly to the emergency room if you experience chest pain, trouble breathing, are bleeding or have any other severe symptoms.