Telemedicine was invented over a century ago in the Netherlands to transmit heart rhythms over the telephone and later evolved to service patients in remote locations.
Today, people have adopted the e-health service, particularly teleconsultation, because of the convenient access to medical advice and care from the comfort of their homes.
How to make your teleconsultation a smoother experience
Your doctor’s online clinic will either use a video conferencing platform or a downloadable application. You can easily access these telemedicine services using your phone, laptop, or tablet.
Before booking your first virtual appointment, here are five things to consider to ensure your session goes smoothly and addresses your healthcare needs.
1. Gather relevant medical information
Document your present symptoms or concerns and have this information within easy reach during your call. Put together a list of the following before the teleconsultation:
- Current medications
- Past significant illnesses and procedures
- Family diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, etc.
Also, verify with your HMO or insurance company if your coverage includes e-health services.
2. Write down your concerns and questions
A bit of anxiety before a doctor's telemedicine appointment is natural but can lead to forgetting vital information. Write down your symptoms and any changes you've noticed beforehand. Consider taking notes to remember what the doctor said during the teleconsultation.
Let your doctor know if you have any worries or preferences. Don't be afraid to ask for more information if you don't understand something.
3. Find a comfortable spot in your home
During your teleconsultation, the doctor may ask you to point your camera toward symptoms in your body. Finding a quiet and well-lit area in your home will make this a trouble-free task. You also want to choose a space with minimal distractions so you and your doctor can focus on your conversation.
4. Check your internet connection
If you're using Zoom or messaging apps, familiarize yourself with the technology by testing your camera and microphone in advance.
Your doctor may be on a telehealth app, so download it a day or two before your appointment. Follow the app's instructions to check the stability of your connection. These apps sometimes offer virtual waiting rooms where you can wait before your appointment, allowing you to check your network signal.
5. Safeguard your data and privacy
You may have heard people suggest using "HIPAA-compliant" platforms. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act) is a law in the United States that protects patient privacy. While the Philippines doesn't have a similar law, a good local telemedicine app will declare if they observe HIPAA standards. At the very least, the app should clearly state it complies with the country’s Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173).
Although you can technically participate in a teleconsultation anywhere, avoid public Wi-Fi hotspots. Instead, use a private network to prevent unauthorized access to your device and keep your personal information safe.
