Transitioning to Telehealth
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am going to have a telemedicine appointment with my doctor instead of going in person. I’ve never done this before and I’m a bit apprehensive since I’m not familiar with how it works. How should I prepare for my appointment? ”
Dear Trying Out Telehealth,
I understand feeling a bit nervous and unsure before a telemedicine appointment—especially if you are not very familiar with video-chatting platforms to begin with!
Although telemedicine was becoming somewhat more common before COVID, it was usually just an option, not a requirement. But now with the pandemic, more and more of us who need to see our doctors are having to do it via telemedicine as our only choice.
Still, there’s no reason to be nervous as long as you take the proper steps to prepare for your appointment. If you follow these tips, you will feel better equipped to make the most of your time with your doctor—whether it’s via a tablet, smartphone, or computer. Now is a great time to become familiar with telemedicine, because experts predict that even after COVID is all over, telehealth will become more commonplace in standard healthcare practice.
Here’s How to Prepare for Your Telemedicine Appointment in 12 Easy Steps:
Choose a quiet, private place for your appointment. You want to minimize distracting noises and interruptions as much as possible.
Make sure you have a reliable internet connection and decide which device you will be using ahead of time (computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.). In general, phones and tablets tend to work better than computers for video visits. Close out all other tabs and apps to make your device work faster.
Good lighting and visibility will improve the quality of your visit. Prop up the device so that your whole face is in view and you don’t have to hold it up the entire time.
Ask your physician’s office for a contact number in case there’s a technical problem during your telemedicine appointment. This way, if something goes wrong with any of the technology, there’s a way you can reach them. You may also want to call ahead of time and talk through the process with a technology professional if you have concerns about how the connection process really works. Your appointment time should be spent on time with your doctor, not on technical issues.
Make a list of your symptoms, and be prepared with as much detail as possible about your current condition. Also have a list of your current medications, vitamins, and supplements.
Have your medical history with you so that it’s available during your appointment. This will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. This includes any labs or reports from previous tests.
If there is any paperwork you’ve been asked to complete prior to the appointment, make sure you fill it out beforehand and have it with you.
If possible, obtain your vital signs prior to the appointment. This includes blood pressure, heart rate, weight, blood glucose, blood oxygen level, and temperature.
If you are experiencing rashes, moles, or other skin problems, take a photo so that you can send it to your doctor.
Write down all of your questions ahead of time. This way, you don’t need to stress about trying to remember all of them during your visit.
Once your doctor has outlined a treatment plan, review it with them to make sure you understand everything thoroughly, write the plan down if possible, and ask any questions you may have.
Most insurance companies consider any sort of telemedicine appointment to be equivalent to an in-person visit. Therefore, you should be prepared for the same co-pays you’d usually make. To avoid any unexpected bills, you can always check with your insurance company before your appointment.
Sources
10 Tips to Help You Master Your Telemedicine Visit: A Patient Guide from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma I Immunology
https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/telemedicine
9 Tips for a Successful Telemedicine Appointment from NextAvenue.org
https://www.nextavenue.org/tips-for-a-successful-telemedicine-appointment/
8 Tips for Your Telehealth Appointment from Healthgrades.com
https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/patient-advocate/8-tips-for-your-telehealth-appointment