Telemedicine has made it quicker and easier for people to access medical advice and healthcare. But if you’ve never used a service like this, you probably have a lot of questions.
For the most part, speaking to a doctor online is not that different from having an in-person consultation. There’s really no need to be nervous.
At GoodMDs, we’ve been providing online treatment to Houston and Texas at large for years. We understand some of the concerns you have as you prepare for what’s possibly your first online consultation.
Here’s what to do when you ask a doctor online about your symptoms.
Once you’re speaking to a doctor online, it’s easy to get derailed and forget some of the important details you’d hoped to share. You can avoid this happening by making a list of your top concerns beforehand. And you can increase the chances that you won’t leave out essential questions by ordering the list items from most to least important.
Going into your consultation with a written-down checklist of what to ask can help you feel more prepared. At the same time, it’s a good way of making sure that you won’t forget anything relevant.
This information doesn’t have to be strictly medical. Anything that will affect your experience or the service you receive is worth asking.
That includes details about whether insurance is required, how you’ll be receiving your prescription, and the specifics of using at-home test kits.
Your treatment plan is personalized according to your doctor’s sense of your situation. Getting the right treatment requires giving your doctor a comprehensive understanding of your condition and the things that may be leading to it.
That includes detailed descriptions of your symptoms, specifically what they are, at what frequency you’re experiencing them, where they’re concentrated on your body, when the symptoms started, and how they’ve changed over time.
It also helps to share information about other treatments you’ve received. Feel free to mention prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
While you’ll provide answers to some of these questions in your consultation form, the actual consultation is an opportunity to shed more light. And since it can be difficult to order your thoughts or recall information instantly, you’re best off writing this information down so you can easily refer to it.
Speaking to a doctor online means you’ll play a more active role in your care than you might be used to. That’s why it’s essential to make sure you understand everything you need to know before progressing to the next stages.
If you’ll be getting a testing kit, for example, help over the phone is available to guide you through using the kit. But you’ll have a far easier time if you’re aware of how to perform processes like this one right from the beginning.
Make sure to have a notepad nearby so you can quickly jot down anything you’ll need to remember later. And if something’s unclear, don’t by shy to ask your doctor to explain it again in a simpler way.
From generally mild conditions to STIs, it’s wise to seek a diagnosis and medical help as soon as possible. GoodMDs has board-certified physicians who have been providing telemedicine in Houston and the entirety of Texas for years. You can starting receiving treatment now in the comfort of your home. Select the type of care to get started.
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