Kayla Palmisano
Dominican University
Al Rosenbloom
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A small but impactful solution to unequal access to health care is providing access online. With the internet providing a vast array of implementations, people who would not normally have access to health cate now can with the ease of e-visits.
MyChart is utilized within DMG, which is an online tool provided by DMG to allow for patients to access their records, fill prescriptions, and chat with doctors and nurses about specific ailments. The specific advancement of online visits, or e-visits, with doctors and nurses which is a powerful innovation developed by DMG. The innovation emerged at DMG around 2014 and has the ability to reach all patients that have access to the internet -- this means by tablet, phone, or computer. Developed by Dr. Mark Nelson, who has been with DMG for a number of years, the innovation was designed to be all-encompassing access.
The use of this innovation highly reflects the values and mission at DuPage Medical Group. Reflecting compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, DMG strives to be a high-quality care center in which can be accessed by all peoples. Developing and including this type of technology, which can be used for non-emergent issues such as anxiety, the common cold, and other general physical and mental ailments, allows for patients for feel they have complete and utter access to their physician. The cost of these visits are also very low -- ranging from $35 to $50 -- which also can aid people who may not have proper funds or insurance or a "full", or in-person, medical exam. While technology is not accessible to all, the number of people with Internet access is constantly on the rise, especially within the city of Chicago. Including this in DMG's practice allows for them to allow health care access for all. This connects well to the SDGs 3 and 10, in which the company and this e-visit technology shortens the inequality gap slightly by allowing those who need better health care easier access to it.
** Most information provided here was either told verbally from Christine Lally to the interviewer or taken from https://www.dupagemedicalgroup.com/news/dupage-medical-group-now-offering-video-visits-to-patients/
Christine Lally is passionate about her company, and talking with her about DMG was a true pleasure. She talked highly of the company and the access of e-visits for ailments. She stated that people within the city of Chicago may not have direct access to health care provided. She mentioned that, specifically within the city, she noticed patients that would have to constantly reschedule appointments or not attend them at all due to a lack of transportation. Even though DMG as multiple locations across the Chicagoland area, it does not change the fact that people with less access to transportation have a less chance of receiving adequate medical care. She also mentioned the small price to pay for the medical visit. She knows of and has experienced patients who have gone through different economic hardships. While DMG does not support them financially (i.e. giving them funds or money), having this small fee does allow for patients with a smaller income to have direct and full access to a doctor.
As an analyst, Christine works directly with patients, nurses, and doctors alike. She is able to get a full perspective of how e-visits have impacted the company. She has been with the company since 2013 and, since e-visits were enacted in 2014, has been able to see the benefit of the technology it has for patients. She notices the scheduling is quick and easy for patients to follow, and gives them full and undivided attention to a doctor without physically being at the location. Giving equal access to all while providing excellence in heath care is what the goal was for DMG when developing and implementing the technology, and that is what has occurred.
At the long term level, it truly gives patients the autonomy they deserve. Those who generally do not have access to medical care, whether it be with transportation, economic, or societal issues, they simply let the ailment go and don't get the treatment they not only deserve, but truly need. Allowing them this access through the internet gives them the right to help their health in the way they deserve -- with excellence and accessibility for all.
Medical care has a snow-ball effect; while e-visits come at a small price and are only for small ailments, patients are connected to the medical group for the long run. This means that they may have more serious issues that may require more work, in-patient care, and even surgeries. Since DMG is for-profit, all of this medical care for all new patients can benefit the company with positive revenue.
As a criminologist and a sociologist, I am well-versed in the societal implications inequality has on people, especially when it comes to medical care access. When people do not have the access, they tend to avoid the issue at all costs. This can negatively effect not only one person's health, but the health of a community as a whole. With the great access and rise of the Internet within all aspects of our lives, DuPage Medical Group is allowing people from all backgrounds the gain access to health care they deserve. They not only care for their for their patients in theory, they prove their commitment to them with this innovation. Implementing this care outside of the Chicagoland area would truly give patients of all backgrounds the autonomy to their health, bodies, and well-beings across the board.
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Christine Lally, EPIC Analyst
