Getting the most from a telehealth visit
A quick clinician-written guide to preparing for a video visit so you walk away with answers, not more questions.
- Telehealth
- Patient experience
A good video visit feels almost identical to a good in-person visit — but only if you set yourself up for one. Here’s what we tell our own patients before their first call.
Before the visit
- Pick a quiet spot with good lighting. Your clinician needs to see you clearly, especially if you’re showing a skin issue, swelling, or a rash.
- Have your medications nearby. Bottles are easier than memory. Include vitamins and supplements.
- Write down your top three questions. Visits are typically 15–20 minutes; knowing your priorities prevents the “I forgot to ask” moment.
- Test your camera and mic. Most platforms (including DocDocDash) let you do this from the appointment page.
During the visit
Lead with your most pressing concern. A useful opener:
“The main thing I want to figure out today is X. I also have a couple of smaller questions if we have time.”
This helps your clinician triage the visit and make sure the most important issue gets attention.
If you’re not sure you understood something, ask the clinician to summarize the plan in plain language before you hang up. Repeating the plan back is a proven way to catch misunderstandings.
After the visit
- Check your visit summary within 24 hours — that’s where the plan, prescriptions, and follow-up will appear.
- If anything is unclear, message your care team directly. You don’t need another appointment to ask a clarifying question.
- Add any follow-up appointments (labs, imaging, specialists) to your calendar right away. Care plans break down most often in the gap between visit and follow-through.
When to switch to in-person
Telehealth handles a surprising number of conditions well: many infections, chronic disease check-ins, mental health, dermatology, medication management. But some things genuinely need hands-on evaluation — chest pain, severe abdominal pain, significant injuries, anything that needs a stethoscope or a swab.
When in doubt, your clinician will tell you. They’d rather see you in person twice than miss something on video.