Nataliya, 51, lives in Rego Park, Queens, but hails from Ukraine, where she grew up speaking both Ukrainian and Russian. And while she also speaks English, “when I’m with my doctor I prefer to speak Russian,” Nataliya says. “Sometimes I don’t know the specific medical words in English, so speaking Russian is more comfortable.”

Nataliya has high blood pressure, which she monitors daily at home. She also checks in with her doctor to make sure her medication is working correctly and that her blood pressure is under control. For a recent check-in, Nataliya opted for a video visit with her doctor, Yanina Etlis, DO, allowing her to converse in her native Russian from the comfort and convenience of her home.

“It was a very good experience for me,” Nataliya says. “My appointment was at 9:55AM, and at exactly 9:55 the doctor was on the line. It was a 15- to 20-minute call, and then it was done. It was not necessary for me to go to the office.”

“I recommend video doctor visits for everyone. It’s very easy, and was a very good experience.”—Nataliya, Age 51

Dr. Etlis was able to review her blood pressure logs with Nataliya during the video call using the NYU Langone Health app. They also discussed how she was feeling, her sleep habits, and how her new medication was working. “If I go to the doctor’s office, that takes an hour and half out of my day,” Nataliya says. “The video visit took 20 minutes. For me, it was very easy.”

So easy that after the call she helped her husband set up his own appointment for a video visit. He hadn’t been feeling well, but didn’t want to go into the doctor’s office.

“My husband spoke with a doctor at 5:00PM,” Nataliya says. “The doctor sent the prescription to the pharmacy, and that night we had the medicine. He was very happy. I would recommend this service to anyone.”