How to Prepare For A Virtual Care Visit

What Is a Virtual Care Visit?

Many doctor appointments, such as physical exams, must be in person. However, other interactions can be done virtually.

What is a virtual visit? It’s an appointment via video conference with you at home and your doctor at their office or hospital. If you’ve got one scheduled, you may wonder how to do a virtual doctor visit on an iPhone, if that’s what you have, or how to do a virtual doctor visit on an Android phone.

This article explains the benefits of virtual visits and answers questions like, “How do virtual doctor visits work?”

Benefits of Virtual Care Visits

Connecting with your care provider provides several benefits, including:

• Convenience and time-savings. Seeing your doctor from the comfort of your home means you don’t have to travel, take time off work, find childcare, etc.
• Reduced exposure. Virtual care visits keep you from being exposed to other patients in your doctor’s waiting room who might have contagious illnesses.
• Faster appointments. Your doctor may be able to fit a virtual appointment into their schedule more easily than an in-person visit.
• Increased access to specialists. Virtual appointments allow you to connect with providers anywhere, giving you access to expertise you might not have had otherwise.

Virtual visits also benefit your care team in various ways, including ease of scheduling, less travel, etc.

Are virtual doctor visits effective? Yes, they are. Providers only schedule them for medical issues they can address remotely.

Preparing for Your Virtual Visit

If you have a remote appointment scheduled, an important question is, “How do you do a virtual visit with your doctor?” Your care team may have some specific directions based on how they like to conduct appointments, but in general, you can set yourself up for a successful appointment by doing the following:

1. Gather necessary information

When you talk with your doctor, it’s essential to have details like your symptoms, medical history, and medications handy. You should gather that information in advance.

2. Choose a quiet and private location

You’ll want to be able to hear your doctor and have them hear you, so being in a quiet place is helpful. You may also be discussing personal information, so privacy is important.

3. Test your internet connection and device

Before your appointment, it’s crucial to ensure that your computer, tablet, phone, or other device is working properly. You should also check your internet connection.

4. Prepare your questions for the healthcare provider

Make notes about what you want to ask your doctor or other care provider before your appointment. If other questions come up during the virtual visit, you can add them to your list.

5. Technical setup

Your appointment will be most effective if you have good lighting, your device is steady so its camera can provide a clear picture, etc. You should also close other programs or apps on your device so all its resources are available for your teleconference and there are no distractions during your session.

6. Ensure your device is charged

If you use a phone or tablet for your virtual appointment, be sure it’s fully charged. Running out of power during your session can be problematic for both you and your provider.

7. Check camera and microphone functionality

It’s essential that your doctor can see and hear you clearly. Make sure the camera and microphone on your device are working properly.

Schedule a Virtual Visit

Now that you have answers to two critical questions (Are virtual doctor visits worth it? How do I do a virtual visit with my doctor?), you can take advantage of this helpful service. Virtual appointments are convenient and can make care more accessible. Your doctor can provide details if you want to schedule a virtual visit.

Next Steps and Useful Resources

Learn More About Virtual Care
Find a Virtual Care Provider Near You
See a Doctor Online with Virtual Care eVisits
In-Person or Virtual Care?