What is a TeleVisit?
A TeleVisit connects patients virtually with medical providers in real time by phone or online. Your provider can evaluate, diagnose, and treat you using technology like video conferencing and smartphones without the need for an in-person visit.
TeleVisits act like an in-person doctor visit: your online provider gives you the same level of health care that you would receive in our office for most issues. During your appointment, your provider will discuss your symptoms and develop your treatment plan.
Your provider will let you know if they need to see you in the office or if your visit can be conducted virtually by phone or online.
If your provider schedules you for a Televisit, the following tips will help you prepare for a successful Telehealth visit experience.
- Choose a private and quiet place to speak with your provider for privacy and to avoid interruptions.
- For your safety, do not connect to your Televisit while you are driving. We will reschedule your appointment if you are driving.
- Check your technology (computer, smartphone) ahead of time to verify that you will have sound and/or video. Internet connectivity can cause difficulty connecting online. If you have issues, call the Center so we can help you troubleshoot.
- A nurse will contact you 24 hours before your appointment to obtain medical information. Have your current medications available to tell the nurse. If you have a home thermometer, scale and blood pressure cuff, the nurse will ask you to take these readings while on the phone with you.
- Please “arrive” to your appointment a few minutes early. The provider has a set appointment time with you and they would rather spend that time focused on your well-being instead of technology. Once connected, do not walk around since some WiFi is “spotty.”
- If you are tracking your blood pressure or blood sugar levels at home, have your logs ready for your appointment.
- Have a separate flashlight available for your appointment. Do not use the flashlight that is in your phone/device for the exam.
- To conduct a thorough TeleVisit exam, the provider may need another person in the room with you to help with the exam. This should be someone you trust and who is willing to touch you, shine the flashlight in areas of concern (for example, hold the flashlight to see your sore throat). Some medical conditions may be embarrassing to you. If you do not want a third person with you during the exam, the provider can modify the exam to accommodate your privacy.
Please call the Center if you have any questions prior to your TeleVisit.