How To Get The Most Out Of A Virtual Health Consultation

Written By Sheryl Wright / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

For many of us, the isolation of shelter in place includes not getting to the doctor in person. However, for many who just need a physical or are monitoring an ongoing concern, a virtual health consultation can make it possible to get your prescriptions updated and move forward with your treatment plan.

Check Your Gear for A Virtual Health Consultation

The week before your appointment, make sure you check your gear to confirm that your camera, headset, and other tools are all working well. If you have the option, consider setting up a second monitor where you can post your questions and concerns and the physician's answers.

To that end, you may want to record your appointment. Some have the capability to do this via laptop, but if you don't, you can skip the headphones, put the speakers on, and use a digital recorder to capture the whole conversation.

Finally, take notes. Ask lots of questions and take your time writing things down so the instructions and guidance you receive make sense. Get proper spellings on new terms and take the time to Google them after your appointment so you have as much data as possible after your online doctor visits in Georgia.

Make a List for your Virtual Health Consultation

Make a detailed list of any questions and concerns. Give yourself about a week to compile this list; depending on your risk and the availability of the vaccine, you may not be able to get into the doctor's office for a while.

What condition are you concerned about, and how long has it been a problem? What have you done to address it, and how has that turned out? Be sure you are also tracking things that could be impacting your complaint. How has COVID-19 impacted your eating habits? Are you able to exercise at all? What about your water intake? There are many factors that could be making a difference in your health right now, so try to compile all the necessary data to get this information to your doctor quickly.

Why Do You Need the Appointment?

When trying to determine whether you need to go in for an appointment or can use telehealth technology, it's a good idea to consider why you need the appointment. Are you in pain, and was it sudden or gradual? If you're suffering from sharp chest pains, obviously you need to go into the emergency room. If you're struggling with a dull ache just below your ribs each time you eat, you may be able to try a post-meal medication to reduce irritation.

Basically, a big deciding factor in whether or not to see your physician in person is if you need lab work done. If you need X-rays, bloodwork or an MRI, telehealth won't be effective.

Check Your Insurance for A Virtual Health Consultation

The rise of coronavirus has left many insurers scrambling to make sure that people are covered effectively, but your policy data updates may not have gotten to you yet. If you're not certain, make sure you contact your insurance provider to confirm that you can get a covered telehealth appointment with your physician, if you need preapproval from your GP for a conversation with a specialist, start working on those the week before your appointment to avoid a financial shock.

Depending on coronavirus rates in your area, the last place a healthy person needs to be is a physician's waiting room. If you can schedule your regular checkup via telemedicine appointment and get your labs done in a clean facility or at a later date, do so. Sheltering in place and masking are the best ways to avoid contracting and sharing the virus.

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Written By:

Sheryl Wright is a freelance writer who specializes in digital marketing, inclusive business, and interior design. If she is not at home reading, she is at a farmers market or climbing in the Rockies. She currently lives in Nashville, TN, with her cat, Saturn.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

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