Make the most of your telemedicine sessions

In 1879, the medical journal Lancet reported a case where a mother phoned her family doctor late at night concerned that her infant’s cough was due to croup. The doctor asked to hear the child’s cough and then proclaimed, “That’s not croup.” The mother was relieved and reportedly slept well.

Telemedicine is not new, but the Covid-19 pandemic has brought telemedicine into the mainstream. Appointments take place in the comfort and privacy of your home or office. They are often available sooner than in-office visits and at lower cost than urgent care and ER visits. They reduce exposure to viruses, such as Covid-19 and influenza, and they make specialists available to rural areas.

• Telehealth is considered ideal for:
• Non-emergency conditions, such as colds, flu, or minor injuries
• Primary care, second opinions, and follow-up visits
• Ongoing care for chronic conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes
• Managing medications, such as for high blood pressure and depression
• Mental health and addiction counseling.

In-person visits are still necessary for procedures such as biopsies, operations, laboratory tests, and injections.

Telehealth is not indicated for several conditions, including:

• Chest pain or heart rhythm irregularities
• Localized abdominal pain
• Weakness on one side of the face or body
• Difficulty breathing

In any emergency, call 911.

To make the most of your telemedicine appointment:

Log in to your appointment early to ensure your phone or computer audio and video are working properly and not muted. If you are unsure about using the technology for an appointment, ask your doctor’s staff or a knowledgeable relative or neighbor for a test visit the day before your appointment.

• Select a quiet, private, well-lit place for your visit. Avoid sitting with your back to a window, which darkens your video image.
• Record your vital signs. Take your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and weight within 24 hours of your appointment.
• To remember everything you want addressed, write down your symptoms, concerns, and questions.
• List your medications and allergies on your doctor’s website ahead of time, which will allow more time to address your questions. Mention whether you need refills or had recent changes in your medications.
• In some situations, it is beneficial to send a picture to your doctor or clinician prior to your appointment. Natural lighting and neutral background are best to photograph a rash or post-op site. Orient the camera parallel to your skin, not angled up or down.
• Take notes to better remember what your doctor or clinician said about your visit.
• Ask any remaining questions and repeat instructions.

The number of persons choosing telemedicine visits is rapidly growing. For many of your health care needs, telemedicine might become your preferred option.

SISTER MARYSIA WEBER, D.O., M.A., is a psychiatrist and Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma. She is chair of the board of directors of MyCatholicDoctor and an active member of the Catholic Medical Association.