With college students forced to return home during the coronavirus pandemic, many lack or have limited access to their on-campus medical or mental health care services.
School doctors and counselors are licensed within their specific state and therefore cannot treat out-of-state students, according to Dr. Alan Dennington, chief medical officer at TimelyMD, a telehealth company.
“Feeling anxious and concerned about COVID-19 is common and normal,” he said. “College students are particularly impacted by campus shutdowns, social isolation, cancellations, financial concerns and the loss of campus resources compounds those concerns.”
In response to the pandemic, TimelyMD launched the Campus.Health program. Colleges and universities are offered an eight to 24 week program in order to cover health care during campus closures. Students can receive virtual access to medical and mental health professionals at no cost.
“The great thing about telehealth is that it lowers barriers to receiving care and can reach any student with access to a smartphone or a computer,” said Dennington. “We know college and university leaders have an endless list of decisions to make right now, with more questions than answers. Our hope is that Campus.Health can make their load a little lighter by providing an immediate solution that students will love.”
The program’s medical providers and counselors are available in all 50 states and are versed in a wide range of medical conditions and mental health needs. Students can choose their medical professional or counselor based on their profile and description. In order to treat patients, students provide their symptoms over the phone or through a video appointment and will receive a care plan and medication prescription if necessary.
For mental health needs specifically, the program implemented Talk Now, which provides students with 24/7 access to professionals as a way to discuss their anxieties, stress and symptoms.
