It is an unusual experience for many patients who decide to make a switch and see their telehealth doctor rather than traveling for a visitation in-person.
Especially in the wake of the COVID-19 spread that has enforced a degree of social distancing and quarantine measures, men and women still need to consult with their medical professional by any means possible.
These services are ideal for those who would otherwise be traveling long distances, restricted by normal business hours or trying their best to limit their spend by any means necessary.
Instead of being unsure or apprehensive about this exercise, there is some key advice that will help patients negotiate these online medical sessions.
Right Online Access Details
The first port of call that patients need to address when seeing their telehealth doctor is ensuring they have the right access details. Commonly these portals will provide participants with a username and password to allow them to opt into the medical practice website. So long as they are following the right link, know how to login to the session and access any Q&A materials or means of uploading and receiving documentation, then they will be confident to take additional steps.
Confidence With Digital Device
If there are technical problems that emerge over the course of dealing with the telehealth doctor, then the value of the appointment will drop dramatically. Participants only need to tick a couple of essential elements to be eligible for such a consultation: a digital device (phone, tablet, laptop, desktop), an enabled microphone and an enabled video camera. So long as individuals understand where they should be positioned, what volume they should speak with the attached microphone and where they can see and hear their specialist at the other end, then the process can play itself out.
Understanding Terms & Conditions
Each medical practice is unique as far as how they incorporate their telehealth doctor services and interact with their patients. No two consultations are the same and everyone has their own level of digital competency and experiences to bring to the table. By taking a close look at the fine print and reading the terms and conditions, individuals will be able to gauge how much these sessions cost when they are available and other policies that speak to their circumstances.
Treating Appointment Like a Regular Visitation
One of the most effective strategies that patients can use when seeing their telehealth doctor is trying to treat the appointment as if it were a regular in-person visitation. This means no outside distractions with complete and full attention directed to the medical professional. There should be no outside interference or distractions with doors closed, phones turned off and ensuring that the microphone, camera and internet connection is uninterrupted. There will be some limitations without that interpersonal connection, but this is still a professional relationship where information can be exchanged and healthcare still provided for the patient.
Asking All Possible Questions
Although there will be some time restrictions that are placed on the telehealth doctor, it is important to maximise this time wisely and ask all possible questions. Questions that pertain to medical doses and prescriptions to exercise routines, food and liquid intake, future appointments and strategies to cope physically and mentally during lockdown are all valuable opportunities to receive key information. Depending on the practice there could be limited windows to speak to a specialist, so leverage the time wisely.
It can feel like a fish out of water experience for many participants, but once individuals begin to get comfortable with the use of their local telehealth doctor service, every additional appointment becomes easier to manage. Treat it like a normal consultation, use the time wisely and ensure that all of the technicalities and logistics are managed first.
