Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Healthy Living/Top Tips for Successful Telehealth Visits

Top Tips for Successful Telehealth Visits

Top Tips for Successful Telehealth Visits
October 25, 2023
Ken Tegtmeyer, MD
0 Comments

We’re Zoom-ing school, Skype-ing meetings, and FaceTime-ing relatives. These days, you can do just about anything from the comfort of your home—and that includes a visit with a healthcare provider. Telehealth appointments offer convenience for parents and kids alike. But before you hop into a video visit with your child’s health care provider, we’ve got some advice to help make it easy.

Here are some tips to make your telehealth visit go smoothly:

Be Prepared. 

Before your child’s appointment, take a couple minutes to download the app or other technology you’ll need for the visit. It is important to also read any patient instructions you received from your healthcare provider.

Grab a pen and paper.

Just like an in-person appointment, a telehealth appointment can move quickly and give you a lot of information. Make sure that you write down any questions or concerns you have for your healthcare provider before the appointment so that you don’t forget them when the time comes. Plus, it’s good to have the pen and paper on hand during the appointment in case you need to jot down any instructions.

Find a good location.

Select a private, quiet location for your child’s telehealth appointment. Make sure it has good lighting (don’t sit in front of a window) and a Wi-Fi connection. Often, the bathroom is a great place for a telehealth visit because it’s private, quiet and has good lighting. Once you find your location, connect to your Wi-Fi and allow any requests to access your camera and microphone on your phone or computer. Make sure to check your internet, audio and video connection before you start.  We cannot see patients inside a moving vehicle due to safety concerns.

Your child must be with you.

You wouldn’t go to the pediatrician without your child, and you can’t do a virtual visit without them either. Your child must be present during your visit and not in another location.

Think about your child’s seat.

If you have a small child, consider using your child carrier or highchair for your child during the appointment. Or, consider having another adult present to hold your child while you speak with your medical provider.

Sign up for MyChart.

If your provider uses MyChart, signing up before your visit makes communication after your visit even easier.

During your telehealth visit, make sure to check your notes and ask the provider all of your questions. Write down the next steps—especially if there is additional testing or follow-up needed. Before your visit ends, ask the provider how you will receive a summary of the visit.

If you’ve never tried a telehealth visit, there’s never been a better time. Most subspecialty clinics at Cincinnati Children’s and across healthcare, are now using video visits to connect with patients. Your child can even get 24/7 virtual urgent care through CincyKids Health Connect  when you need a quick answer. Always try your pediatrician first, because they know your child best, but if your pediatrician is not be available this is a great option.

 

 

 

Related Articles

Podcast | Emergency Care or Urgent Care? Learn the Basics to Be Ready
Podcast | Emergency Care or Urgent Care? Learn the Basics to Be Ready
Video Visits: A New Way to Connect With a Pediatric Expert
Video Visits: A New Way to Connect With a Pediatric Expert
Q&A: “Save My Spot” for Urgent Care
Q&A: “Save My Spot” for Urgent Care
Increase in Seasonal Illness: Wait Times May Be Longer
Increase in Seasonal Illness: Wait Times May Be Longer
TAGS:
  • Home
  • telemedicine
  • urgent care

About the author: Ken Tegtmeyer, MD

Dr. Tegtmeyer is a Pediatric Critical Care doctor and the medical director of the Center for Telehealth. He has been involved in different aspects of telemedicine for over 15 years. He is also interested in multimedia education and founded the Medialab at Cincinnati Children’s.

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Comments Yet

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • Learning and Growing
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Pin of the Week
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • The Young & Healthy Podcast
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Subscribe today to our family newsletter for tips, blog posts, podcasts and more.

Subscribe Now

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 850 views

  • Lean, Purple Drank, Sizzurp: A Dangerous Teenage Drink 589 views

  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 519 views

  • Family Finds Heart Care Needed for Complex Condition 393 views

  • How To Increase Calories In Your Underweight Child’s Diet 285 views

  • Should I Worry If My Child’s Chest Is Sunken? 253 views

About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2025 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center