Telehealth (A.K.A. telemedicine) has been around for a long time although many of us are experiencing our first “virtual visit” with our healthcare provider this year. This “live,” 2-way visit usually includes video and audio communication via high speed internet access using a mobile device, tablet, or computer with a web camera. Alternatively, a phone call using a landline telephone can also be considered a televisit.
While not a perfect substitute for in-person healthcare, most people find it to be less stressful, more efficient and less time-consuming, with no need to travel to an office or wait for their provider.
Certain types of appointments are better suited for telehealth such as primary care and follow-up visits, health screenings and wellness visits, medication management check-ins, and behavioral healthcare.
Most insurers have expanded coverage (including Medicare and Medicaid) for telehealth visits. Contact your provider to find out what telehealth options are available for your next appointment.
Making a Telehealth appointment:
Contact your provider’s office to determine if a telehealth appointment is an option. In some cases you may be able to make the appointment online on their website.
If you are not sure if televisits are covered by your insurer and your provider cannot confirm, call your insurance company or visit the website.
If you are scheduled for a telehealth visit, the office provides an app they want you to download. It could be Zoom, Skype or another telehealth app used by their office. They usually send you the link and instructions by text or email in advance so you can download it beforehand.
Ask if there are any medical records that your provider needs in advance of the appointment for the doctor’s review and determine how they will be sent.
Prepare for your appointment:
Find a quiet (and ideally) private place indoors. Have light in front of you, not in back of you. Avoid sitting in front of a window as it could make it difficult for the doctor to see your face.
Consider having someone join you as a scribe, another set of ears and to handle the camera if the provider wants to see you move or view a particular part of your body.
Have a pen and paper handy to write down notes, instructions you are given, and answers to your questions.
Write down your questions in advance and be clear on what your goal is for this appointment.
Fill out any paperwork and gather any reports, health history, logs and other requested information. Forward to the provider if needed for review in advance, any symptoms or readings you’ve collected.
Ensure your medication list is up to date and any allergies are noted. You can also place the medication bottles within reach to reference during the call. Have your pharmacy details handy.
Tech Tips:
Don’t sit in front of a bright window as it can obscure your face on the provider’s camera. Avoid light behind you from windows or lamps.
Download and test the app to be used during your appointment. Check the audio. Make sure your device is charged.
If you are using Facetime, Zoom, Skype, Google Meet or another accessible platform, you may want to practice before your appointment with your provider by using it during a social visit with a family member or friend.
Keep the camera steady. If you are using a phone you may need to prop it up or use a stand.
Turn off other streaming applications, music, notifications, etc. during the visit.
During the appointment:
Seat yourself facing the screen so your face is in the center and fully visible with the camera at eye level.
Open the app or platform a few minutes before the appointment time or at the time requested by the provider. You may be placed in a virtual ‘waiting room” until the provider is ready to see you.
Before starting the visit your provider may ask for your consent to receive services through telehealth.
Make sure you can hear the provider well and see their face if using video.
Eliminate distractions such as other people, pets, devices. Do not eat or drink during the session.
Your provider may ask you to move a certain part of your body, walk on camera, or move so the camera to examine a particular part of your body, depending on the nature of the visit.
Be sure to ask your questions and write down the answers. If you don’t understand what is being said to you, ask for clarification before the call ends.
Before the call ends, be sure you are clear on any recommendations given, prescriptions ordered and any additional or follow-up appointments or testing to be scheduled.
Know how to reach your provider by phone or email between appointments.
Here are the details to collect, how to start the conversation and free online tools to help you build a solid family health history.
Information to collect:
Write down the names of relatives on both sides of the family (ideally three generations): parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, grandparents, aunts/uncles, nieces/nephews, cousins. (Accessing a family tree may be helpful)
Add for each person any information you have about their:
sex at birth
date of birth
ethnicity
known medical and mental health conditions and age of diagnosis
any other details about lifestyle, habits, environmental factors, results of any genetic testing. (If a family member is deceased, note age at time of death, any known medical/mental health conditions, and cause of death)
Start the conversation!
Identify the family members on each side (mother’s and father’s side) who might be most knowledgeable about your family members.
Let them know the reason you would like to ask them some questions and the kinds of information you are seeking. Give them some time to think about it or to collect info if needed.
Share any information you have gathered so far and then ask them to add more details where possible.
Some family members may be uncomfortable discussing these matters. Respect the privacy of your relatives as confidential information is shared. Let them know that having this information gathered will benefit ALL family members.
The information can be gathered in person, by phone, or in writing – whatever is most comfortable and most convenient. In cases where information is incomplete, just include what is accurately known. Do not guess.
Sometimes medical records and family documents like scrapbooks can fill in some blanks, as can public records.
What to do with the information you’ve collected:
Create a written document (or see below for online options) with the collected family history information gathered.
Share copies with other family members for them to share with their own doctors to inform them of their family health history.
Give a copy of the Family Health History to your doctor for their records and review it with them. The document can help your doctor look for early warning signs of disease and recommend steps for reducing your personal risk of disease.
Questions to ask your doctor about review of your Family Health History:
Does my family history put me at risk for certain conditions or diseases? Other members of my family?
Are there any screening tests I should have now or in the future?
Should I have genetic counseling or genetic testing?
What lifestyle recommendations do you have to reduce my risk?
What information should I share with other family members?
Be sure to update the records over time and provided updated copies to family members. This can be a valuable document for future generations as well.
Free online tools to help collect your family health history and share it with relatives and doctors.
Our Executive Director, Mindy Griffith, recently had the opportunity to talk with Mama Bear Donita and share the Bag It story and the importance of self-advocacy and keeping track of your information.
Check in to see how you and those you love are doing to reduce the risk of cancer or a recurrence. Here are some tips and resources to get you started.
Healthy Lifestyle
Maintain your ideal weight
Physical activity
Walk, jog, dance, bike, swim – or whatever you like to do
Get up and move every hour
Diet
Eat lots of fresh vegetable and fruits of every color, whole grains, beans
Avoid sugar, processed meats, junk foods
Limit/eliminate alcohol intake
Do not smoke or use tobacco products
Avoid risky behaviors
Healthcare
Have regular check-ups with your primary care physician
Maintain good overall health to avoid viruses and chronic infections that increase your cancer risk
Get cancer screenings and cancer vaccines recommended by your doctor
Harmful Exposures
Protect your skin from the UV rays from the sun. Use sunscreen and don’t use tanning booths
Steer clear of secondhand smoke and other environmental carcinogens
Did you receive a Bag It bag? Want some tips on how to make it work for best for you? Want to know more about what’s in the bag? Check out this video and find out how to Make the Most of your Bag It bag, whether you are the patient, a care partner or just an interested friend.
Telehealth (A.K.A. telemedicine) has been around for a long time although many of us are experiencing our first “virtual visit” with our healthcare provider this year. This “live,” 2-way visit usually includes video and audio communication via high speed internet access using a mobile device, tablet, or computer with a web camera. Alternatively, a phone call using a landline telephone can also be considered a televisit.
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