Being a Telepatient

Posted on by theinkvessel

I meant to get this comic out the door a lot sooner, but here are some quick pointers for those who find themselves becoming a “telepatient” for their next medical clinic visit.

Patient leaned into camera with open mouth and doctor asking patient to come closer.
Doctor saying "open wide" as camera zooms in.
Telehealth skyrocketed during the pandemic, to more than 50 million visits per year in 2020 for Medicare beneficiaries. (Doctor looking at computer screen).
"Many of us worried about loss of connection and errors that could be created by telehealth." (Patient sitting in a recliner and doctor on the other side of the image separated by a lightning bolt.)
"And indeed it has birthed a whole new world of challenges." (Doctor explaining to patient over the phone that they need to turn their camera on.) "But over time I've grown to appreciate some parts of this new approach of caring."
Doctor on smartphone thanking patient for their patient. Patient sitting in recliner by the fireplace explains that it's fine, "I've just been watching TV."
"Video can connect us to a person's life in ways that a clinic visit cannot. In a nationwide survey, clinicians felt that video visits still allowed high quality care, and patients reported high levels of satisfaction.) Image shows rays of connection between homes and hospitals.
Image shows doctor with arms full of coffee, bag and laptop. Text reads, while medical practice is slow to change, the sudden uptake of video has shifted healthcare in a way that won't likely go back to the way it was. I thought I'd offer a few tips for how. to make the most of your next virtual visit.
1) Make a practice run with the device and software before your appointment. Image shows patient making a call.
2) Place the brightest light behind the camera and facing you. If you don't, our view of you looks like one of those witness protection videos. (Image shows positioning of light behind camera facing patient. Second image shows patient face in the dark.)
3) Have the visit in a quiet space if you can, but if life doesn't allow that make sure to let us know who might be off camera and what topics it's ok to talk about.
4) On the other hand, feel free to include anyone else in the visit who you'd like to help. (Image shows patient's wife leaning in to share that the patient's cough is not better.) 5) Don't panic if we don't log in exactly on time. Sometimes, video visits run behind just like in-person appointments. (Image shows wristwatch.)
6) Have your pill bottles with you just like you would at a clinic visit. (Image shows smartphone with pill bottles in front of it.)
7) Write down your questions or agenda items for the video visit beforehand. Image shows checklist and patient asking "oh yea, before I log off, is it normal to see blood in the toilet.)
8) We don't mind when people take video visits while sitting in the car, but please, pull over if you're the one driving. Image shows patient slamming breaks and saying &%$#@! deer.
9) Make sure your device is fully plugged in. (Image shows patient on computer screen sharing concerns about dizziness and then the screen going dark in second panel.)
10) Lastly, if there's any part o fyour world you want us to see, don't be afraid to point the camera in that direction. Telehealth has its downsides but one of the most rewarding parts is getting a glimpse into life that we wouldn't otherwise see in the clinic. (Image shows patients sharing her cat and her succulent with the doctor.)
Image shows succulent. No text.

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Published by theinkvessel