Resolving telemedicine: How to prepare for a remote medical consultation

Telemedicine has shortened distances in health, allowing access to a professional diagnosis immediately and from the comfort of your home. However, for a virtual consultation to be 100% decisive and make the most of attention time, it is essential that the patient prepares adequately before the video call.

Below, we give you a practical guide with the key recommendations of Dr. Dino González to optimize your teleconsultation.

1. The Physical Environment: Lighting and Silence

During a telemedicine video call, the doctor performs a very important part of the evaluation visually (skin inspection, coloration, breathing pattern, etc.).

• Good Lighting: Face a window or lamp. Avoid being backlit (with a window behind you), as this will obscure your face from the camera.
• Privacy and Silence: Find a closed, quiet space in your home or workplace so you can talk freely about your symptoms without interruptions.
• Stable Device: If you use a cell phone, place it on a solid surface instead of holding it in your hand. This prevents sudden movements and allows the doctor to see you clearly.

2. Background Information (Keep on hand)

Before starting the call, it is very useful to have the following information in order so that the anamnesis is fluid and accurate:

• Medication List: Names of all the drugs you take daily, with their respective doses and schedules.
• Known Allergies: Medications or substances to which you have had adverse reactions.
• Previous Data Sheet: Completing the pre-history history online helps the doctor have all your background in an organized way before the call begins.

"Having a note of your symptoms, when they started and what medications you are currently taking allows the consultation to focus on the diagnosis and the appropriate treatment plan."

3. Self-monitoring of Vital Signs (If you have devices)

If you have medical measurement devices in your home, we recommend taking your vital signs 15 minutes before the consultation and writing them down. This provides incalculable clinical value:

1. Blood Pressure: Measure it sitting and relaxed using a digital arm blood pressure monitor. Write down the systolic and diastolic pressure.
2. Oxygen Saturation: If you have a pulse oximeter (saturometer), measure your oxygenation and heart rate by placing the device on your index finger.
3. Body Temperature: Use a thermometer to measure your armpit or forehead temperature in case of fever.