The nationwide practice I work for, covering in person and video visits in northern Maine, is one of many practices using texting and video visits to manage both acute and chronic problems. The traditional specialty practices in my remote part of the country are also offering Zoom visits. For example, the gastroenterology practice in Bangor can look at lab work and CT scans and results of local endoscopies and lend their expertise to patient management when the basics have been done prior to the consultation.
I have been doing Zoom visits for my former primary care practice in Bucksport since I left there in 2019. I do a Suboxone clinic one night a week for a group of patients who may be in a group therapy session in person at the office or may be zooming in from their homes. The relationships formed in these virtual visits as often very strong.
The pandemic made this type of doctor visit mainstream and blurred the definition of what actually needs an in person visit.
Another example of virtual relationship is my own way of communicating with my lady friend who lives 35 minutes away from me.