Why did I create a telemedicine practice for arthritis and autoimmune disease patients?

Let's talk about Rheumatologist OnCall

SHARE

Telemedicine is widely accepted today in urgent care settings. Why did I create a telemedicine practice for arthritis?

Every founder has a vision when starting a company. What is the vision and mission of my company, Rheumatologist OnCallIn just a few words, to break geographical barriers and help patients in need when they need it the most.  Thus,  I created the first direct specialty care telemedicine practice to serve patients with arthritis and autoimmune diseases.

Arthritis vs. Rheumatologists in the US

Healthcare was created to serve our people, but is that where we are now? Unfortunately, no.

In 2020, there were about 62 million arthritis patients in the US. This number is estimated to increase to 78 million by 2040. However, the US healthcare system is not prepared to care for these people due to an extreme shortage of specialists.

There are only 6,500 rheumatologists in the US, many only part-time. Most are located in metropolitan areas on the East or West Coasts, creating an extreme geographical barrier for people in the South, Midwest, and rural areas.

Patient Experience

As a result of so many arthritis patients and so few rheumatologists, the average waiting time is four to six months.  Therefore, patients in need of care are forced to suffer through many months as their condition deteriorates, causing severe and permanent damage. Add all that to the excessive cost of travel, arthritis treatment, labs, and for what?

No more than ten minutes with a specialist. 

Let’ be serious!

Who can assess a patient’s situation and concerns in such a small amount of time?

The System is Not Working

This system is not working for doctors or patients, yet the healthcare system is doing nothing.

That’s why I created Rheumatologist OnCall.

My company, Rheumatologist OnCall is a private, direct care rheumatology clinic that runs primarily on telemedicine, revolutionizing healthcare in the US.

How?

It does this in 3 ways:

  • breaking geographical barriers
  • making healthcare affordable and
  • creating an integrative medicine experience.

 

Breaking Geographical Barriers

Telemedicine for arthritis and autoimmune disease patients

Today, we do banking, shopping, and entertainment from the comfort of our homes.

Why not an online consultation? 

Telemedicine offers quick and easy access to patients around the US, regardless of where they live. 

Telehealth makes healthcare fast, convenient, comfortable, and safe, well beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is especially valuable for marginalized and rural communities, patients with mobility issues, and the immunocompromised. 

Basically, it allows every American to receive care.

Affordable Care

Third parties, such as insurance, create many obstacles in the American healthcare system.

This dramatically increases healthcare prices and leads to surprise bills and co-payments.

As a result, most Americans struggle to pay for something that could save their lives.

However, Rheumatologist OnCall solves this.

As a direct care practice, we take out these third parties and build a direct patient-physician relationship. By doing so, we can ensure our prices are far more affordable than traditional systems and transparent. 

Integrative Experience

Traditional systems view patients as bags of money, not people. Patients are left to suffer six months in pain for a 10-minute consultation if they’re lucky, just to be prescribed some pills.

Rheumatologist OnCall does the complete opposite.

Rheumatologist OnCall Benefits

First, we ensure that patients are seen in at most one week.

Their first consultation is sixty minutes, and every follow-up is thirty.

Urgent appointments can be made the same or the next day, ensuring that our patients are treated as soon and as well as possible.

Second, we treat the whole person instead of just their disease. That’s why instead of just pills, we maximize the effects of recovery by implementing proven lifestyle techniques, including changes in diet, exercise, and mindfulness.

As Steve Jobs famously said, “the people who are crazy enough to change the world are the ones who do.” Let us join together to put our patients first. Let us create a society where we make healthcare easy, not hard.

Let us pave the path to the future of healthcare with Rheumatologist OnCall.

Sincerely, 

Diana M Girnita, MD, PhD

Founder & CEO Rheumatologist OnCall

Disclaimer

All content shared on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medicine. You should always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment regarding your specific medical needs. We don’t represent that any of the products or services offered through this site are safe, appropriate, or effective for you. We advise you to always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health care provider regarding personal health or medical conditions. If you know or suspect you have a medical problem, contact a qualified healthcare professional immediately. If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

Share This Article

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Linkdin
Share on Pinterest
Search

RELATED ARTICLES

Browse More Topics

Learn more