Patient Education: Preparing for a Telehealth Visit for Primary Care and Pediatrics

Telehealth visits have become an integral part of healthcare in the domain of primary care and pediatrics. It epitomizes convenience and safety in virtual appointments during public health concerns. To make this experience smooth and effective for both the patient and the provider, a patient needs to be adequately prepared for such a telehealth visit. This handout is going to help patients with some hints on how to face a primary care or pediatric telehealth visit.

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Knowing what to expect and how to prepare can go a long way toward improving your telehealth appointment quality. Here's how to make the most of your virtual visit so you get the care that you need. Whether it's for a routine checkup, follow-up, or discussion of new health concerns, preparation is critical. Let us discuss how you can prepare yourself for telehealth visit success with your healthcare provider.

Choose a Quiet Space

Find a quiet, relatively private space within your home where you can take this telehealth visit. The space needs to be clear of deafening noises, such as the TV or family conversation. A quiet setting helps you keep focused on your appointment and hear your doctor.

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Choose a room where you can close the door so that you will have some privacy for the visit. If necessary, let others in the household know that you need quiet time for your appointment. A calm space promotes better communication with the healthcare provider.

Test Your Technology

Before your telehealth visit, test your device to be sure that it is working well. Check that your camera, microphone, and speakers are all functioning correctly. Be sure you have adequate internet that will support video calls.

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Familiarize yourself with your doctor's office telehealth platform, and consider calling a friend or family member so you may become more comfortable with the software. If you are having difficulty, feel free to reach out to your healthcare provider's office for assistance.

Gather Important Documents

Keep all your medical documents ready for your telehealth appointment. They may include recent test results, your medical history, your insurance information, or any other such document. Having this ready will help your doctor attend to you to the best capacity.

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Write down all of your symptoms and areas of health with which you are concerned that you want to discuss. Make a list of questions that you may have for your health professional or provider. Both of these steps will help in having a very productive visit.

Prepare a Medication List

Make a list of the medications you are currently taking. List prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements. Next to the name of the medication, note the dosage and how often you take it.

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Keep your medication list with you during your telehealth visit. Your doctor may request a review or updates of your medications. An accurate, up-to-date list avoids medication errors and provides appropriate care.

Have a Thermometer Ready

Always have a thermometer by your side when engaging in any telehealth visit. Your doctor might need you to provide information about your temperature during the visit. In this case, having a thermometer will save you lots of time and be suitable for your health information.

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Be sure to test your thermometer ahead of the appointment to make sure it's working right. Let them know if you don't have a thermometer with you so some doctors might help suggest alternatives or give guidance in advance.

Ensure Good Lighting

Do the visit in a well-lighted area. Light from a window is best; however, if this cannot be available, then a bright lamp will do. Good lighting will help your doctor see you clearly during the video call.

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Avoid sitting with a bright light source directly behind you, as this will create a silhouette effect, which can make it difficult for your doctor to see you. Try to seat yourself in a position where the light falls evenly on your face for the best visibility.

Dress Appropriately

Wear comfortable clothes that will allow easy movement in case this is necessary. However, wear what you would normally wear if you were to go in and see your doctor. Do not wear pajamas or extremely sloppy clothes to help set the mood.

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Consider wearing clothes that give access to areas that the doctor might need to see. For example, wear short sleeves if you need to show a rash on your arm. Remember, just because you're at home doesn't mean it's not a doctor's appointment.

Write Down Your Questions

Write down questions or points to be discussed with a doctor in advance of the telehealth visit so one remembers what to say. This should be done before the visit to avoid forgetting any of the points one intends to raise. Having a prepared list will help the patient get the most from the minimal time with the health provider.

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Keep your critical questions at the top of your list. Putting the most important first can help you make sure you don't miss important ones. Be explicit about your symptoms or troubles to help your doctor understand this is also very important for remembering answers after an appointment.

Conclusion

Preparing for your telehealth visit is very important to have a smooth and effective appointment with your healthcare provider. Here are simple steps on how to maximize your virtual consultation. In doing so, remember that good preparation goes a long way in bringing better communication and health outcomes.

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Telehealth is easy, very convenient, and well-suited for primary care and pediatrics. If you are well-prepared, you will have a very productive and effective virtual visit. Don't hesitate to contact your health provider's office if you have any questions regarding your telehealth appointment.