Columbia, SC – Doctors Care urgent care, founded in Columbia in 1981 as South Carolina’s first urgent care organization, has now seen patients in every county in the state with its telemedicine platform, Doctors Care Anywhere. Providers have completed nearly one-thousand visits with the online app, and nearly 6,000 visits using in-center telemedicine technology.
Doctors Care first launched its telehealth program in 2014, the same year it added online check-in to all of its walk-in clinics across the state. The Doctors Care Anywhere platform, rolled-out in early 2016, was built in-house using local developers. The app allows patients to connect with a Doctors Care physician using a smartphone, tablet or computer – providing an unparalleled level of convenience and access for patients, allowing them to see its providers from the comfort of their home or office. The Doctors Care Anywhere app is available to download for both Apple and Android devices.
“We’ve been a trusted brand in this state for 35 years, and we continue to build new urgent care locations to meet growing population demands,” said Dr. Thomas Gibbons, president of Doctors Care. “Our telemedicine platform was created to offer an additional way for patients to use our services – for those interested in this type of technology and convenience. Convenience is king, and we get it.”
Another priority of the Doctors Care leadership is bringing quality health care to underserved citizens located in rural areas around the state.
“We have many counties with little or no accessible health care available to much of their population,” said David Boucher, president of UCI Medical Affiliates, the non-medical management company of Doctors Care.
“Our goal was twofold: First, to add a new level of convenience for our existing, loyal patients. Second, to provide access to people who don’t have a good option nearby or who may be homebound. We believe all our citizens should have access to quality health care, and this is one way we can be a part of the solution.”
Since launching the telemedicine platform in early 2016, Doctors Care has served nearly one thousand patients, from all 46 counties in South Carolina. Physicians are able to treat a variety of non-complex illnesses, from colds and sinus infections to skin rashes and ear infections.
“Our telemedicine physicians are able to see, speak and interact with patients using highly secure connections to make diagnoses,” Gibbons said. “A major advantage we have over national telemedicine providers is we can refer complex or questionable cases to one of our 52 free-standing locations around the state. This is a continuum of care that differentiates Doctors Care from all of our primary care and urgent care competitors in South Carolina.”
About Doctors Care
Doctors Care, now celebrating its 35th year in business, is a leading health care organization focused on delivering exceptional and convenient urgent care, family care and occupational health services. Its original clinic, opened in Columbia in 1981, was the first urgent care center in South Carolina. Now, Doctors Care is one of the largest urgent care companies in the United States. Its network of 53 clinic locations continues to expand to serve patients who want quality health care that’s also convenient and reasonably priced. Doctors Care centers offer online check-in, flexible hours, on-site X-rays and laboratory services, telehealth access and more. Visit DoctorsCare.com to learn more.
About UCI Medical Affiliates
UCI Medical Affiliates, founded in Columbia, S.C., is celebrating its 35th year as a non-medical management company. It provides administrative support to its family of businesses, including Doctors Care, Progressive Physical Therapy and Doctors Wellness Center. These businesses serve patients and clients at approximately 80 freestanding urgent care and physical therapy clinics throughout South Carolina and Tennessee. UCI Medical Affiliates also manages employer on-site medical practices and related occupational health services. They emphasize quality care, cost-effective delivery and a close partnership with clients. Visit UCImedInc.com to learn more.