By Tim Mastro

WILMINGTON — ChristianaCare recently launched Virtual Primary Care, a new health solution that offers the benefits of a long-term relationship with your primary care team, with the convenience of virtual care that can be accessed at home, at work or on the go, using a smartphone, tablet or other digital device. The practice is an offering of ChristianaCare’s Center for Virtual Health.

“Virtual primary care in most markets does not establish an ongoing relationship between the patient and the provider — it’s on-demand care with the next available provider,” said Dr. Sarah Schenck, medical director of Virtualist Medicine at ChristianaCare. “ChristianaCare Virtual Primary Care is different. We offer a personalized approach in which patients have the attention of their care team who are all focused on their specific needs and health goals. Each care team knows their patients and is actively working to help them reach their personal health goals. And when patients need specialized care or services, our providers have access to ChristianaCare’s network and the ability to refer to the trusted services and specialists a patient might need outside of primary care.”

The practice is accessible to residents of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey and available by monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

Plans are available for people ages 5 and older and start as low as $35 per month. The subscription provides full access to virtual primary care services — with no additional fees or copays — including same-day appointments, extended hours on nights and weekends, secure text-messaging and the convenience of always-on care.

Services that are not a part of primary care, such as emergency room visits, lab tests, diagnostic imaging and specialist referrals, are not included in the subscription and would be subject to the patient’s existing health insurance coverage.

“At ChristianaCare we are reimagining health care by making it radically convenient and accessible, and by creating a unique and personal experience,” said Sharon Anderson, ChristianaCare’s chief virtual health officer and president of ChristianaCare’s Center for Virtual Health. “The Virtual Primary Care practice goes beyond simply offering video visits to patients. We’ve transformed care so it no longer revolves around waiting for an appointment — it’s immediate, coordinated, continuous. Patients can now access virtual primary care 24/7 as well as a host of other health services — all through their computer, tablet or smartphone.”

When individuals sign up, they’ll choose their care team of experts including a primary care provider, nurse and a patient digital ambassador. The patient digital ambassador serves as a personal health guide to assist individuals with registration and technology set-up for their virtual visits. As a care team member, the digital ambassador is available as a personal health guide, while the primary care provider supports patients with their clinical care needs.

Once enrolled, individuals will receive a welcome kit tailored to their needs with tools to assist in their care, such as monitoring blood pressure, weight and temperature.

ChristianaCare Virtual Primary Care can allow patients to schedule a virtual checkup, communicate using video, send photos through secure text messaging and discuss health concerns and treatment options. Patients can also, schedule same-day appointments, enjoy extended hours on weekends and gett quick referrals to specialists.

There is also the option to create a personalized Working on Wellness Plan to help achieve healthy goals around stress management, exercise, nutrition, sleep and more.

For more information, visit the ChristianaCare Center for Virtual Health or call 302-428-2400.