For more than a quarter century, the Lackey Clinic has been providing free medical care to those in need in the Yorktown community. Founded in 1995 when local physician Jim Shaw and his wife Cooka began seeing patients from a Sunday school classroom at a local church, the clinic has grown significantly over the years, both in size and scope of care. Today, the clinic has some 30 full- and part-time staff and over 200 volunteers who provide comprehensive care, from traditional medical services and behavioral health to dental and vision services – all at little or no cost to the patient.
Helping patients adjust to a virtual setting
When the pandemic hit last year, the clinic responded in much the same way that many practices did – by turning to telehealth so that they could continue to serve patients in need. After creating the infrastructure that enabled the team to migrate to a telemedicine model, clinic volunteers actually telephoned each patient, letting them know of the new virtual service, answering their questions on how to access it and reassuring them that the clinic would continue to be there for them.
What the Lackey Clinic team did not anticipate at first was that this transition to telehealth allowed them to expand the reach of their care. Two physicians who reside in other parts of the state are able to care for patients in Yorktown. And patients who may have difficulties in getting to the clinic’s office – whether it be transportation or childcare or taking time off work – are now able to consult a doctor more conveniently and efficiently.
Telehealth grow patient reach
The Lackey Clinic has a reputation over the years of spreading its wings to serve its patient population, and telehealth has allowed it to fly even higher. This past spring the clinic launched a virtual urgent care program. Led by Dr. Ralph Robertson, former Medical Director and now a volunteer medical provider, the program focuses on treating patients with non-life-threatening conditions.
And the clinic has streamlined the sign-up process. Patients provide their contact information on the clinic’s website, pay a $25 fee, pick from the open appointment times and then connect online with a medical professional who can diagnose conditions and prescribe medications. The physician also will notify the patient of other services at the clinic that they may qualify for.
And for the many private practices who are considering telehealth, here’s an interesting statistic: about 50% of telehealth urgent-care patients at the Lackey Clinic eventually become full clinical patients. With a patient satisfaction rating at the clinic of 4.61 out of 5, it’s little wonder why.