What A Typical Telehealth Physical Looks Like

Read the full article in AARP.

To prepare for the visit, find a private, quiet, well-lit space in your home (if you're using a mobile device or laptop). It's best to sit facing a window or lamp. Have a scale, thermometer and blood pressure cuff nearby in case your doctor asks you to weigh yourself, take your blood pressure and temperature, and measure your heart rate. He or she can demonstrate the proper technique for taking your blood pressure.

During the visit, your physician will review your medical history and ask about any changes in your health and family, such as the death of a spouse. He or she will also ask about your diet as well as your sleep and exercise habits. He or she will review your lab results and the medications you're taking — so have them pulled out of the medicine cabinet ahead of time. If you take several medications, your doctor may ask to see your pill organizer. He or she will recommend any vaccines and screening tests you might need (colonoscopy, mammogram and bone density, for instance).

Your physician may also ask you to walk around and move your arms and legs to check your range of motion. “Doctors can learn a lot by seeing a patient in a natural setting such as their home, as opposed to a sterile office environment,” says Todd Czartoski, M.D., chief medical technology officer at Providence Health System, which has 51 hospitals and 1,085 clinics in seven western states. “We can assess how well a patient is walking, see where his or her medications are stored and determine how safe the environment is.” Your doctor can point out any tripping hazards in your home.

At the end of the visit, your doctor will give you a plan of care. He or she may order certain tests, such as a chest X-ray or an ultrasound, which need to be done in the office.