Your first doctor visit by video or phone: how to get ready

Talking to a doctor from home can feel strange the first time. Will they understand me? What if the call drops? What if I don't know what to say?

That is normal. A few minutes of preparation make the visit much more useful. Here is how.

Before the visit

• Find a quiet place, with good signal, where you can talk calmly.
• Charge your phone so it lasts the whole visit.
• Have your medicines at hand, in their boxes. Keep any prescriptions or test results nearby too.
• Write down what you feel: since when, what makes it worse and what you have taken.
• If the phone is hard for you, ask someone you trust to sit with you the first time.

During the visit

Tell the doctor everything you feel, even if it is embarrassing. They are there to listen.

These three questions help you leave with everything clear:

1. What do I have?
2. What do I need to do?
3. When should I come back?

If you don't understand a word, ask them to explain it. And write down how to take each medicine: how much, at what time and for how many days.

After the visit

Take your medicines as the doctor said. Don't change or stop them on your own.

If you feel worse or something new appears, consult again. That is what your service is for.

When a phone visit is not the right choice

If someone has trouble breathing, strong chest pain, faints or had an accident, don't wait: call 911.