How to Get the Most Out of Your Virtual Care Experience

For many of you, this will be your first telemedicine visit. Preparing for a telemedicine visit is similar to preparing for an in-person visit, but there are a few unique considerations. To make the most out of your telemedicine visit we recommend  following the instructions below.  

Before your visit: 

• Update your chart: If you are a new patient, you will receive an online invitation to begin entering your medical history. Please fill out the online forms carefully. Having an accurate account of your health will improve your care quality and give your provider more time to address your current issues.
• Enter or update your:
  • Last known height, weight and blood pressure
  • Medications (including dosage)
  • Pharmacy information
  • Primary care physician (PCP) information
  • Anything else we need to know
• Insurance: Most health insurance providers are covering telemedicine during the ongoing pandemic. If you have specific questions regarding your insurance coverage for the visit, call your insurance provider before your visit. 
• Organize your thoughts: Make a list of symptoms, questions, and concerns. Write down specific details, such as the dates of your periods, if they’ve been irregular. Prepare your medication list. Additionally, if you have recent test results from another provider, have them readily available for reference. 

 On the day of your visit: 

• Check equipment: You may have an audio or video visit. If you have an audio visit scheduled, try to be in an area with good reception. If you have a video visit, you will need a smartphone or computer connected to the internet. Please make sure your electronic devices are sufficiently charged. Headphones or earbuds improve privacy and hearing. 
• Location:  Try to be in a quiet private area. If you would like a family member or friend to listen in, plan on being together from the beginning of your visit.
• Have your prepared notes on hand: This includes all the notes you took previously about your symptoms, medication list, and pertinent test results. Have a notepad and pen handy to take notes.
• Keep an open mind: Although many health concerns can be addressed through telemedicine, some things have to be discussed in person, such as a procedure. We will work hard to do as much possible through telemedicine for you. 
• Call drop: If your call drops, we will contact you again right away. 
• Be patient: All of us are learning to navigate telemedicine. Please understand there may be lag time because an earlier patient may have had an issue connecting, or the internet may be overloaded. While you are waiting for your appointment, try registering for our online patient portal. 

After your visit: 

• Create a patient portal account: Through the patient portal you can confirm your medical history is accurate and we can contact each other easily. If needed, please upload important documents onto the patient portal. For more information regarding our online patient portal please visit: https://myhealthrecord.com/Portal/SSO
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• Follow-up: Don’t forget to schedule your follow-up appointment. You should receive a phone call within 1-2 days to schedule your next visit. If you don’t hear from us, please call. 
• Survey: Please take a moment to complete the post-visit survey. Our patients provide valuable suggestions and feedback to help us improve our services. Your opinion is important to us! 

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Blog Author: Reshma Patel