According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), use of telehealth visits increased 50% at the beginning of 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way that many providers offer care, and it has created new ways for patients to connect with care teams from their homes. 

While telehealth presents certain challenges, such as connectivity or access, it has broadened the ability for specialists and other care providers to reach patients who might not ordinarily make it to an urban area for a one-on-one visit. One provider in the Department of Family and Community Medicine believes this new pandemic precedent improves her ability to work with patients during nutrition counseling appointments.

Caroline Cohen, Ph.D., R.D., assistant professor and clinical dietitian, has found several advantages to having her nutritional counseling sessions via telehealth visits. Patients are able to show her their kitchens and the types of foods they can easily integrate into meal plans, and Cohen can quickly give resources by sharing her screen with patients. Cohen is also able to look at patients’ nutrition tracking apps which help facilitate individual recommendations for their nutrition plans.

“Telehealth visits give me increased access into a patient’s world,” noted Cohen. “This can really help with providing individualized dietary interventions and maximize the benefit of nutrition counseling.”

Nutrition counseling appointments allow for individualized conversation about health goals related to weight management, sports nutrition, and dietary management of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and more. Cohen is also available for counseling surrounding pregnancy and lactation nutrition needs. She works with patients of all backgrounds and ages to counsel them on the best ways to integrate optimal nutrition into their diets.

For more information about nutrition services or to schedule an appointment, visit the UAB-Highlands Family Medicine portal.