Are You Prepared for Your First Remote Doctor Consultation?

If you’re contemplating booking your first remote doctor consultation, it’s important to understand how to make it go as smoothly as possible. The world of telemedicine is relatively new for most of us, which means you’re not alone if you’re nervous. Here are a few tips to help you make sure your first remote doctor consultation is successful.

Prepare Personal Information Beforehand

One of the most important things you can do before your telehealth consultation is prepare some personal information. Even though your telehealth doctor will be your primary care physician, it’s helpful to have a list of symptoms and health issues you’d like to discuss prepared. If you’re not sure what to prepare, it’s a safe bet to include a list of symptoms and how long you’ve been experiencing each one. In addition, it’s important to record what medications, if any, you’ve taken to try to mitigate your symptoms. This can help you doctor make a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for your condition.

Keep Medical or Health Equipment Close

During your remote doctor consultation, your doctor may ask you for a few vitals. These may include taking your temperature, checking your weight, measuring your pulse, or even testing your blood sugar if you’re living with a condition like diabetes. Keep in mind that the reason you’re seeing your doctor may influence what types of vitals they ask you to check. For instance, since about two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, having these checks can help your doctor work with you to devise ways to help get your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol down. So if your primary concern is related to weight, make sure you have your scale handy.

Host Your Call in a Quiet Space

Of course, one of the best things you can do for your telemedicine appointment is make sure you’re in a quiet space that’s free of distractions. Not only will this help you focus solely on your medical appointment, but it will also make it easier for your doctor to focus on you and your symptoms. Most telehealth appointments don’t take very long, so if you’re worried about someone coming into the room, make sure your whole household knows when you need a few minutes of peace and quiet.

Telemedicine is an incredibly helpful tool when in-person medical appointments aren’t possible. And when you’re well-prepared, you’re sure to have a good experience.