Telehealth is the new way of receiving healthcare from the comfort of your own home without having to visit a clinic or a hospital. As it is relatively new with most people getting to know about it during covid times, many people still hesitate to book a telehealth appointment. This is because they feel overwhelmed by the change in the way they traditionally received healthcare. Telehealth can be very beneficial for many different types of patients and in this blog we will tell you exactly how to prepare for your telehealth visit, what to do during the checkup, and the follow up guidelines.
What is Telehealth ?
Before we tell you the guidelines it is important to understand what telehealth is basically. Telehealth is a way to receive health care virtually using the new advancements in technology. These advancements have made virtual communication just as effective as in person visits would be. Although telehealth is not yet at the stage where it can be relied upon completely without any in person visits to clinics, it is still great for many reasons like:
- Receiving a second opinion.
- Helping manage chronic conditions like diabetes
- Getting prescriptions for refills
- Treating minor conditions and injuries
- Treating highly contagious diseases without risking spread
- Mental health treatment and therapy
- Basic physical exams and Physiotherapy
- Dermatological Issues
- Can also be used for preventive care
Progressive health solutions is an example of a Florida based telehealth company that has highly trained healthcare professionals to provide you with a good experience with your telehealth care visits.
Now that we know what telehealth is we should know how to prepare for an appointment.
Pre Appointment
Check for Appointment Confirmation
After booking an appointment the telehealth company sends a confirmation e-mail or message to confirm when your appointment is booked, with date time and any equipment requirements or if you may need a helper. Also, they will send a reminder message or email before the appointment to make sure you appear. It is important to keep an eye out for these mails, as they also include a meeting link and any password required to join the online call.
Choose an Appropriate Device
It is important to choose an appropriate device, one which supports wifi, has a mic, camera and speakers. Any smartphone, tablet, or laptop should do the trick. It is recommended to have a laptop though, since it can help you attend the appointment hands free. If you do use a smartphone you have to use support to prop it up and attend the meeting handsfree.
Check Your Wifi
Wifi can create issues during a meeting. So in order to avoid it check your wifi speeds beforehand. Anywhere from 10-15 mbps should work fine. Inorder to get the fastest speeds use a wired connection or sit close to your router. Also close any extra tabs so that you do not have to face lag or slow loading speeds.
Have Your Medical Information With You
Before meeting the doctor, have all your medical information with you. It may be necessary for correct diagnosis, and providing medicines that won’t have side effects.
Medical information would include:
- Medicines currently being consumed
- Medical History
- Symptoms that you want to discuss
- Vitals like weight, temperature etc (if you have the tools at home)
- Questions that you want to ask your doctor
Having these on standby will ensure that you make the most out of your Telehealth visit.
Have an Appropriate Environment
For your appointment go to a well lit place in your home. Make sure that is someplace where you will not be interrupted and will have privacy. It should also be somewhere where there is no audio interference from your family etc. Make sure the area is clean and looks professional to have a proper experience.
Dress Appropriately
For your telehealth visit it is very important to maintain a proper dress code as you would when going for an in person visit. Do not attend the meeting in your sleeping clothes, instead wear comfortable and loose clothing. Loose clothing may be essential if you need to show a body part physically.
Be On Time
It is best to login and prepare everything a few minutes before the meeting is scheduled. This will ensure everything is set and ready and the appointment can begin on time. It is important to respect the doctor and the other patients by arriving and leaving on time.
By logging in everything beforehand you can even do a test run with a friend or family member to ensure that the meeting is going to go smoothly.
During Appointment
During the appointment make a proper introduction. Mention your name, city of residence and any other details that can be used to confirm it is you. Remember to speak clearly and to listen closely. If you have any difficulties understanding the doctor let them know, it could be a technical issue on their end too.
Provide a great detail of your symptoms so that the lack of physical presence can be overcome, and so that the doctor can make a correct assessment.
Ask any questions you may have, it is also a good idea to come prepared with questions before the meeting begins.
If you require services from the best telehealth company in the Florida contact Progressive Health Solutions, for a well-mannered, safe, and healing experience with Telehealth.
Post Appointment
Post Appointment make sure to list down any suggestions given to you by your doctor. Moreover, most telehealth companies have a patient portal, so log into it to check out if the doctor has provided any notes or diagnosis of their own. If they recommend any tests, book a follow up appointment as soon as you get the results. A follow up appointment should also be booked if you want to get your prescriptions reevaluated in case of improving or worsening conditions.
If the doctor recommends an in person visit go for it.
Finally also make sure to give the doctor and the company a review if there is an option to.
Highlight any benefits you received and als any areas for improvement that you see.
Conclusion
To conclude, although like an in person clinical visit you do not have to start your car and take a trip, you do have to prepare in some ways for your telehealth appointment. Telehealth is still more convenient if you go through all the preparations, but once you do, you will be able to make the most out of your appointment.