Telehealth Treatment: Before the First Visit
Confirm the visit arrangements with your provider before you rely on a phone or video appointment. Keep the joining instructions and a backup contact where you can reach them.
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Prepare the visit
- Check the date, time zone, joining instructions and any requested forms.
- Ask about the charge and any accessibility help you need, such as captions or a screen reader.
- Choose a quiet place where you can talk openly; test your device, connection and sound.
- Keep a short question list and your medicine information nearby. Do not join while driving.
- Ask for a visit summary and instructions for follow-up.
Sources: [1]
Ask the office about your actual arrangements
| Before the visit | Question to confirm |
|---|---|
| Where I will be | Can this clinician see me from the location I will be in? What location/contact information do you need? |
| Privacy | Who may be present? What should I do if I cannot find a private space? |
| If the connection fails | Do you call me, should I call you, or should I rejoin? What number should I use? |
| If urgent help is needed during the visit | What plan should we follow, and what local contact information do you need? |
| After the conversation | How are prescriptions, tests, referrals or an in-person visit arranged if needed? |
My visit card
- Confirmed appointment and joining instructions
- Provider; date/time/time zone; where instructions are saved. Do not write a portal password here.
- Location, privacy or access arrangements
- What I have confirmed; what still needs a response.
- Backup contact and plan
- Office number and their instructions if the connection fails.
- My priority question
- What I most want to understand before the visit ends.