May 27th, 2022
Curious about telehealth? Here’s how to make it work for you.
These days, the world is all about convenience. We order things online rather than driving to the store, saving ourselves time and even a little gas money. The pandemic helped us realize that actually, working from the comfort of home was not only more efficient than suiting up and heading to the office, but also a lot more comfortable. So, in keeping with this timely trend, Telehealth is now making it easier than ever for people to manage their healthcare from the comfort of home.
During the last week of 2020, the Center for Disease Control saw a 154% increase in telehealth visits. Pre-pandemic, only 3 states offered insurance coverage for virtual visits. Today, over 22 states have made updates to existing legislation requiring insurance companies to offer greater access, especially to the insured, to Telehealth visits. A post-pandemic survey of those who did use Telehealth services during the pandemic showed that 63% plan to continue using it in the future. Telehealth is here to stay, and it’s easier than ever to get on board!
Why Telehealth is the Future
This convergence of medicine and technology provides endless benefits to people, eliminating barriers that may have prevented regular access to care. It offers convenience to everyone, regardless of distance and proximity, to access a medical care facility. Telehealth is incredibly efficient for both patients and medical professionals because it eliminates wait times in physical offices, and enables patients to take and upload their medical information in advance of the appointment.
The future of medicine has finally arrived, and to help you make the transition with ease, we’ve got some tips for you on how to prepare for your first telehealth experience. So no need to dig around for the car keys, grab a coat, or even put on shoes. Telehealth is bringing the experts to you.
5 Key Ways to Prep for your Telehealth Visit
If you’re ready to enter the simpler, more convenient world of telehealth, here are 5 tips to help you make it a better, smoother experience.
“It has never been easier to use technology to visit your doctor. The technology works seamlessly, and often you can chat using your phone. It may seem daunting initially, but you'll be a regular telemedicine superstar after a few visits. Telemedicine allows you to control the environment and dictate when you see your doctor.” - Dr. Richard Harris
Download any apps you’ll need in advance. Register, log in, and get comfortable using it. On the day of your appointment, set everything up an hour in advance. Make sure you’re in a quiet place, your microphone camera are on and functioning, and test it out beforehand.
Get your medical records in order and have them available for your appointment. Write down any medications you’re currently taking, or have them nearby and within reach. Gather any insurance documents you’ll need as well.
Don’t take the risk that your appointment comes and goes without complete clarity. You’ll want to provide the doctor with all of the information they’ll need to make an informed diagnosis. List your symptoms so that you can explain in detail the issues you’ve been dealing with.
One difference between regular doctor's visits and telehealth visits is the legwork you might be asked to do ahead of time. Many doctors will recommend conducting key exams at home and having the results handy to share during the appointment. The Fluent SmartExam makes it easy to do this from home. This simple handheld device makes it easy to capture crucial medical information and send your results to a doctor before your visit.
The handy device is like a medical version of a Swiss Army Knife; it’s almost everything you need at your fingertips! A stethoscope allows you to monitor your respiratory, heart, and abdominal sounds. The thermometer records temperature and the otoscope will examine your inner ear canal. The oximeter monitors your blood oxygen saturation and checks your pulse rate, and your camera phone captures images for the doctor to see. If you’re interested in learning more, check out the Fluent SmartExam and see how this device can make your healthcare more convenient.
Just like a list helps us stay focused in the grocery store, jotting down your questions ahead of time will ensure that all bases are covered when appointment time rolls around. Before your virtual face-to-face, write down any questions that you want to ask. It’s also good to have a pen and notebook within reach to take notes during your appointment.
We all know how busy and complicated life can feel sometimes. In the same way that working from home and ordering online have simplified our lives and given us some valuable time back, Telehealth is poised to do the same. So, why make healthcare more complicated than it has to be? Let the Fluent SmartExam gracefully guide you into the simpler, more convenient world of telehealth. What used to take you hours, you’ll have done in minutes. Virtual healthcare can help you breathe a welcome sigh of relief.