Why a little preparation makes a big difference
Walking into any medical appointment without a plan means you leave with half the answers you wanted. Telehealth is no different. The good news is that five minutes of preparation can turn a scattered conversation into a focused, productive session where you actually get what you came for.
Write down three things before you start
Before your consultation, grab a pen (or your phone notes) and jot down:
- Your main goal. What do you want to walk away with today? A diagnosis, a management plan, a referral, clarity on a test result?
- Your most pressing concern. The one thing that prompted you to book.
- One question you have always wanted to ask a practitioner. This is your chance to get a clear, unhurried answer.
Practitioners get more clinically useful information from these three sentences than from a 20-minute conversation that wanders. It also helps your practitioner prioritise the consultation around what matters most to you.
Gather your documents
Having key information ready saves time and helps your practitioner make better-informed decisions:
- Recent blood test results or pathology reports
- A list of current medications and supplements, including doses
- Notes on relevant family history (heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune conditions)
- Any photos relevant to your concern (skin changes, swelling, rashes)
- Past letters or reports from other healthcare professionals
You do not need everything to be perfectly organised. Even a photo of a handwritten list is helpful.
Set up your space
A few practical details make a noticeable difference to the quality of a video consultation:
- Lighting. Sit facing a window or lamp so your face is clearly visible.
- Sound. Choose a quiet room. Use headphones if others are home for both clarity and privacy.
- Connection. Test your camera and microphone five minutes before. If the video drops, most practitioners will call your mobile, so keep it within reach.
- Comfort. Have a glass of water nearby and sit somewhere you can relax and focus.
What happens in the first few minutes
Your practitioner will introduce themselves, confirm your identity, and ask what you most want to get out of the session. Be direct. Saying something like “I want to understand why I am always tired” or “I need help managing my weight” gives them a clear target to work towards.
This is also a good time to mention anything time-sensitive, like needing a medical certificate or a referral by a certain date.
Questions worth asking your practitioner
Good questions lead to better care. Here are some that tend to produce genuinely useful answers:
- Why this approach and not another?
- What outcomes should I be looking for, and over what timeframe?
- What are the most common side effects or risks?
- What would make us change course?
- How do I get in touch if something does not feel right between appointments?
You will not seem difficult for asking these. Practitioners appreciate patients who are engaged in their own health.
After the consultation
You will typically receive a summary and any next steps through your patient portal or via email. Read it the same day while the conversation is fresh, and send any follow-up questions as soon as they come to mind.
The first 48 hours after a consultation are when good plans get refined into great ones, so do not let your notes go cold.
This article is for general information only. Individual results vary. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised advice.
References
- RACGP. (2023). Standards for general practices, 5th edition. Available at: racgp.org.au
- Medical Board of Australia. (2023). Telehealth consultations with patients. Available at: medicalboard.gov.au
