A TeleMed2U Clinical Q&A

Thanks for sitting down with us, Dr. Seigel. Let’s kick things off by talking about your experience with telemedicine. When did you first realize that virtual care was the future of healthcare?

Like many providers, the COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point for me. For about a year, I worked entirely from home—and during that time, our endocrinology patient volume actually increased by more than 10%. It was the highest utilization we’d ever seen, all because of the expanded access that telemedicine enabled. That was when it really clicked: this wasn’t just a temporary fix—it was the future.

Are there any common misconceptions about telemedicine you’d like to address?

A big one is the belief that you can’t build rapport with patients through a screen. But during COVID, I realized that wasn’t true—especially in a specialty like endocrinology. Telemedicine actually made care more accessible, which in turn improved relationships with patients.

Endocrinology is all about chronic disease management, and that requires frequent follow-ups and ongoing communication. Building trust is essential. Yes, some providers are naturally more relationship-oriented than others, but being virtual doesn’t make that harder—it just means you approach it a little differently.

TeleMed2U supports over 20 specialties today. Are people surprised by how much can actually be done virtually?

Absolutely. I was at a healthcare conference not too long ago, and even then, many people didn’t realize that specialist telemedicine existed—let alone how effective it is.

Take endocrinology, for example. It’s largely a biochemical specialty, meaning most diagnoses rely on lab results. Since we’re electronically connected to labs, we can order and review tests seamlessly. With remote patient monitoring and our internal automations, we can track how patients are doing in real time. If something is off, we’ll know—and we can act quickly without needing an in-person visit.

That has to be a game-changer for patients managing chronic conditions. Have you seen an impact on patient engagement?

Without question. Patients no longer have to miss work, travel long distances, or wait months for an appointment with a specialist—if they could even get one. No-show rates are down, and engagement is way up.

I see patients all across California—from major cities like LA, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco, to small towns I hadn’t even heard of before. It’s incredibly rewarding to connect with people who previously had no access to specialty care.

You mention rural communities. Do those areas still face challenges with broadband or infrastructure for telemedicine?

Connectivity is definitely a concern in some places, but it’s not a barrier for us. At TeleMed2U, we partner with Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Centers, so patients can access care from a local facility if needed. And many still connect from home using their phones—even without a computer. In our experience, these challenges haven’t stopped patients from getting the care they need.

One of the most powerful things about our model is that we can reach patients anywhere. I’ve seen patients with diabetes who had never been able to consult with an endocrinologist before. We help them bring their A1C down from 11% to a healthy range. It’s transformative—and for providers, it’s deeply fulfilling to see patients stick to their plans and take ownership of their health. Telemedicine makes that possible.

You’ve been with TeleMed2U for four years. What stands out to you about the culture—not just for patients, but for providers too?

What makes TeleMed2U truly special is that everyone—from intake staff to MAs, to MDs and nurse practitioners—feels like they’re part of the patient journey. That shared sense of purpose shapes everything we do.

You hear a lot about physician burnout. In my experience, it often comes down to a lack of autonomy. But here, every team member has a voice. We’re empowered to contribute and help shape how care is delivered. That focus on both the patient experience and the provider experience is rare—but it’s what drives better outcomes for everyone.

Interested in joining a team that’s redefining specialty care? Explore open roles and learn more about TeleMed2U’s culture of innovation and support at https://www.telemed2u.com/careers