How immediate care video visits work and when to use them

At some point during your day, you realize that cough, sinus pressure, or itchy eye isn't going away, or it's getting worse. The thought of sitting in a crowded waiting room isn't too appealing. Neither is waiting days for an appointment.

Some health issues that sent us to the doctor's office before can now be addressed from home. It's called an immediate care video visit.

What exactly is an immediate care video visit?

It's simply a secure video call which allows you to meet face-to-face, in real time, with a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Unlike scheduled appointments, you don't have to book days or weeks in advance or even leave your house. All you need is your smartphone, tablet or a computer with a webcam.

When is it a good option?

"An immediate care video visit, or virtual immediate care, can be a nice option for a variety of minor illnesses and conditions," said Amanda Caplan, MD, a family medicine physician at Endeavor Health. "It allows us to assess your symptoms, recommend treatment, and, when appropriate, send prescriptions to your pharmacy without you having to leave home."

Not every medical concern requires an in-person visit, but some always do. Use this guide to determine which option best suits your needs:

1. Virtual immediate care : Best for minor, non-emergency conditions such as cold and flu symptoms, coughs, sinus congestion, seasonal allergies, pink eye, minor skin rashes, minor pain, or uncomplicated UTIs.
2. Scheduled primary care appointment: Best for routine checkups, ongoing chronic condition management (like hypertension or diabetes), preventive screenings, or non-urgent health concerns requiring continuous care.
3. Walk-in immediate care: Best for minor injuries or conditions that require physical testing or hands-on procedures, such as potential sprains, minor cuts needing stitches, X-rays, or physical exams.
4. Emergency room< /a>: Necessary for serious symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden numbness or speech difficulty, or uncontrolled bleeding. Call 911 if symptoms are severe or life-threatening.

What's not covered in immediate care video visits?

Immediate care video visits are reserved strictly for specific minor conditions listed here. If you need care for other issues not on this list, hospital follow-up care or specialty care, it's best to get care in person.

"While virtual care covers a wide range of everyday health issues, hands-on physical evaluations or diagnostic testing, like bloodwork and X-rays, will still require an in-person visit to ensure an accurate diagnosis," said Dr. Caplan.

How do you start a video visit?

Connecting with an Endeavor Health care team member takes just a few steps:

1. Log in to MyEndeavor.
2. Open the main menu, scroll to the Find Care section and select Immediate Care (Video Visit).
3. Follow the prompts to connect.
4. Connect. Wait briefly in the secure virtual waiting room for your clinician to join.

You can also schedule a future video visit. Our team may contact you prior to your scheduled appointment if they determine that an in-person visit is more appropriate for your needs.

What if you don't have a MyEndeavor account?

If you do not currently have a MyEndeavor account, you can still start a video visit online. After you begin the steps to connect, you will be prompted to provide some information to launch your visit and connect with a clinician.

Tips to make the most of your video visit

To ensure a smooth connection and clear communication:

• Find a quiet, well-lit space where you won't be interrupted.
• Make sure your device has a working camera, microphone, and a stable internet connection.
• Fully charge your computer or device or plug it in.
• Have a pen and paper ready to jot down clinician recommendations and questions.

"Having a brief list of your current medications, known allergies, and a timeline of your symptoms ready helps us make the most of our time together during your video visit," said Dr. Caplan. "If you took your temperature or blood pressure at home recently, having that information handy is also helpful," she added.

Video visits are available for Endeavor Health patients of all ages who are in Illinois at the time of the visit. Patients under 18 must have a parent or guardian present. If English isn't your primary language, seamless, integrated translation services are built directly into the MyEndeavor video platform to ensure clear communication throughout your appointment.

Learn more about Video Visits.

Prefer an in-person visit? Primary care is always an option

Endeavor Health primary care offices are always an option if you need an in-person visit. Your doctor's office will help determine what type of visit is right for you.

Find a doctor or schedule an appointment.