If you have home medical equipment, it is useful to have it accessible during the
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handy, a pulse oximeter to check heart rate or their oxygen saturation level, and
a thermometer,” Dr. Yip says. For a more thorough exam, you may also want to
purchase a remote exam kit that has a stethoscope, otoscope, and basal
thermometer that can send information to your physician. When cardiac issues
are a concern, EKGs can be done through a small personal monitor or an Apple
Watch (Series 4 or 5).
Dr. Yip also recommends using earbuds or headphones for a clear audio
connection, and says patients should try to be as close as possible to the source
of their Wi-Fi.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT DURING YOUR VISIT
Before the visit, make sure you’re in a relatively quiet, private, and well-lit
location so you can freely speak to the doctor and are prepared for a possible
physical examination they’d perform by video.
Usually, a video visit is initiated by a text message with a link asking you to join
the physician in a secure conference call. You’ll either be directly connected to
the physician or to a nurse or medical assistant who will ask some basic
questions before you are joined by the physician. If your physician is part of a
large health system, the visit might be conducted through a secure patient
portal that you will log into. For phone visits, you or the physician will initiate
the call at the appointment time.
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Dr. Yip says she conducts her telemedicine visits the same as she does her in-
person visits, with the exception of physical touch.