From the Guidelines
Visits refer to scheduled or unscheduled encounters between a patient and a healthcare provider, which may involve medical evaluations, treatments, or follow-up assessments [ 1 ].
Types of Visits
In the context of healthcare, visits can be categorized into various types, including:
- Initial visits: used to confirm the diagnosis, classify the condition, and develop a care management plan [ 1 ]
- Follow-up visits: used to monitor the patient's condition, adjust treatment plans, and assess the risk of complications [ 1 ]
- Emergency visits: used to address urgent medical needs [ 1 ]
Objectives and Durations
Each type of visit has distinct objectives and durations, which are typically determined by the patient's medical condition, treatment plan, and response to therapy [ 1 ].
Scheduling and Management
Visits can be scheduled using various methods, including websites, emails, phone numbers, or mobile applications [ 1 ], and may involve the use of telehealth services [ 1 ]. The frequency and duration of visits are typically determined by the patient's medical condition, treatment plan, and response to therapy [ 1 ].
Key Considerations
Effective visit management involves:
- Patient engagement: encouraging patients to take an active role in their care [ 1 ]
- Shared decision-making: involving patients in the development of their care plans [ 1 ]
- Regular assessments: monitoring patients' conditions and adjusting treatment plans as needed [ 1 ]
From the Research
Definition of Medical Visits
Medical visits refer to appointments or encounters between patients and healthcare providers for the purpose of receiving medical care, treatment, or advice. These visits can take place in various settings, including offices, hospitals, or through telemedicine platforms.
Types of Medical Visits
- Office visits: in-person appointments with healthcare providers in their offices or clinics 2, 3
- Telemedicine visits: remote appointments with healthcare providers through video or telephone calls 2, 4, 3
- Emergency department visits: urgent appointments in hospital emergency departments 5, 2, 3
- Inpatient visits: appointments with healthcare providers during hospital stays 5, 2
- Group medical visits: appointments with multiple patients and healthcare providers, often focusing on education and peer support 6
- Follow-up visits: appointments scheduled after initial visits to monitor patient progress or provide ongoing care 5, 2, 4, 3
Characteristics of Medical Visits
- Duration: varies depending on the type of visit and patient needs, with office visits typically lasting longer than telemedicine visits 4
- Cost: can vary depending on the type of visit, location, and patient insurance, with telemedicine visits often being more cost-effective 4
- Satisfaction: patients generally report high satisfaction with telemedicine visits, citing convenience and efficiency 4, 3
- Treatment and prescribing: healthcare providers may prescribe medications or order laboratory tests or imaging during medical visits, with rates varying depending on the type of visit 2, 3