{"id":105871,"date":"2021-10-07T06:43:34","date_gmt":"2021-10-07T06:43:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topdreamer.com\/?p=105871"},"modified":"2021-10-08T08:18:46","modified_gmt":"2021-10-08T08:18:46","slug":"heres-how-to-prepare-for-your-telemedicine-appointment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topdreamer.com\/heres-how-to-prepare-for-your-telemedicine-appointment\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s How to Prepare for Your Telemedicine Appointment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you need to see a doctor? Maybe you need to get a prescription refilled or you\u2019re having a minor medical complaint. With telemedicine, you could talk to a doctor about your problem and get treatment without leaving home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps in large part thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth services have become more popular recently. You can use your laptop, phone, or tablet to video conference with a doctor or therapist, discuss your symptoms, and get medication and referrals. But what can you expect from your first telemedicine appointment, and how should you be prepared? Read on to find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make Sure You\u2019re Covered<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you schedule a telemedicine appointment, make sure it\u2019s covered by your insurance. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, some states have passed laws requiring insurers to cover telehealth services. Many insurers will cover telemedicine because it is cheaper than meeting with a doctor in person, so make sure your provider has a copy of your insurance card. If you don\u2019t have insurance, telemedicine can still be more affordable than in-person care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Your Device Ready<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your doctor won\u2019t just Facetime you — there are medical privacy laws to consider. Your doctor\u2019s office will probably use a proprietary app or web service for telehealth video conferences. Make sure you have the app and login information you need to connect with your doctor on a video call. Test your camera and microphone to make sure they work. Remember to have your device fully charged in time for your appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prepare a Quiet, Private Spot<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having a telehealth appointment isn\u2019t quite the same as seeing a doctor in person because you don\u2019t have the privacy of an exam room to reveal your symptoms and concerns. That doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re not entitled to privacy during your appointment, but it\u2019s probably not a good idea to have it at Starbucks. Find a quiet place where you can complete your appointment uninterrupted. You\u2019ll be able to focus better on what your doctor is saying and make better use of his or her time if you\u2019re not distracted by a noisy environment or fending off the attentions of needy pets or children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure the space in which you plan to have your appointment is well lighted, so that your doctor can see you better, especially if you have something to show him or her, like a rash or an injury. Ideally, you\u2019ll be able to set your device down in front of you so you can move around, again, especially if you have something to show the doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Write Down Your Symptoms Beforehand<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you attend your telehealth appointment, prepare as you would for any doctor\u2019s appointment by writing down a list of your symptoms and concerns. Add to the list how long you\u2019ve had each of your symptoms and how it\u2019s changed in severity over time. Concrete details can be useful — for example, if you\u2019ve had a fever, write down how high and low it\u2019s been, and how long you\u2019ve had it, as well as any medications you may have already taken to treat it. You can mention these symptoms to the doctor, and you may even be able to show him or her the list or send a picture of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Telemedicine can be useful for treating non-emergency conditions, like minor illnesses and injuries, but you can also use telehealth appointments for primary care, follow-up visits, second opinions, and ongoing care. For example, if you need to get a prescription refilled for a condition that you\u2019re managing well, you can save yourself the hassle of an office visit and easily renew your prescription online<\/a>. Plenty of people seek treatment for chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure through telemedicine, especially since the pandemic. You can get birth control prescriptions renewed online, or even get psychotherapy and psychiatric care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just as you would in a brick-and-mortar doctor visit, you should be prepared to ask questions and take notes and your condition. That\u2019s especially true if you\u2019re being treated for chronic conditions that require medication management and regular check-ins, as well as for follow-up visits where you might have an opportunity to address any concerns you\u2019ve had about your treatment or recovery. However, usually if you\u2019re seeking treatment for something that requires note-taking, your doctor will want you to come in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Telemedicine has given us the convenience of speaking with a doctor and receiving medical treatment without having to drive across town or risk exposure to sick people during a pandemic. Once you\u2019ve tried it, you\u2019ll never want to see a doctor in person again!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Do you need to see a doctor? Maybe you need to get a prescription refilled or you\u2019re having a minor medical complaint. With telemedicine, you could talk to a doctor about your problem and get treatment without leaving home. Perhaps in large part thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth services have become more popular recently. 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