How to prepare for your Matrix telehealth visit
From checking your internet connection to having a planned place to take the call, these 7 tips will help make your appointment run smoothly.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor.
If you have a Matrix telehealth visit on your calendar, there are several things you can do to prepare for a successful video call. If you’re not sure what to expect, think of a virtual visit like an in-home or doctor’s office visit, says Pamela Eliason, FNP–BC. She is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and a team lead for Matrix Medical Network in Summerville, South Carolina.
The big difference between those types of appointments is that you’ll be talking to your clinician on a screen instead of in person. But you still get excellent care either way.
Before you have a Matrix telehealth video visit, take these seven steps to make sure you’re ready.
#1. Check your internet connection
A virtual visit is conducted using a tablet, smartphone, or computer. Whichever device you prefer, it needs to be connected to the internet for the appointment to happen. So, make sure your Wi-Fi or cellular service is working properly before the video call. If you’re not sure how to do that, don’t be shy about asking your family, a friend, or a neighbor for assistance. Your local public library or community center may also be able to help.
“Matrix will send you all the information you need, including the link to connect to the telehealth visit, before the call takes place”, says Eliason.
#2. Plan where you’ll take the call
Choose a place in your home that feels comfortable, private, and has a reliable internet connection. That could be any room in your house or apartment where you won’t be interrupted.
#3. Block out enough time for the appointment
Eliason says you can expect your appointment to start at the designated time, and it should last about 45 to 60 minutes.
“We want to know a lot of information about members, and asking a lot of questions is the best way to gather information, so that when we make a diagnosis, we’re the most accurate we can be,” Eliason explains.
#4. Grab your prescriptions and over-the-counter medications and supplements
More than 4 in 5 older adults take one prescription drug, and 1 in 3 take five or more, according to the National Institute on Aging. Your clinician will want to know all the medicines you take, whether they are prescribed or over-the-counter, says Eliason.
The easiest way to do this is to gather all the bottles and have them beside you before the appointment starts, she says. This means you won’t have to memorize all the names and doses. Going over all your medications and supplements allows your clinician to see if you are taking any unnecessary drugs and if any of them don’t work well together.
It’s also a good time for you to brush up on your medication routine and ask questions about the medicines and supplements you take regularly.
#5. Prepare a list of questions and observations about your health
The clinician will lead the visit, but there will be time for you to talk about your concerns too. Jot them down on a piece of paper or an electronic device before your appointment so you won’t forget them. If the list is long, consider highlighting the most pressing ones. That way you can get those answered and hang onto the others for future appointments.
Not sure what to bring up? Your Matrix clinician will want to hear about recent hospitalizations and/or falls, new physical complaints, noticeable changes to your weight or appetite, feelings of loneliness, or memory or sleep problems.
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#6. Ask someone to join you (if you’d like)
You don’t need to have anyone else at your telehealth visit. But if you feel more comfortable with a spouse, friend, or caregiver there, ask them to attend the appointment with you. Beyond the emotional support, they can also take notes for you. That means you can focus on talking to the clinician.
#7. Take care of these other details before the call
Eliason recommends taking these steps right before you start talking to your Matrix clinician:
- Use the bathroom before your call, so it won’t interrupt your call time.
- Keep a glass of water nearby. “During telehealth visits, you’ll be talking more than you’re used to,” says Eliason.
- If you don’t have someone else taking notes for you, keep a pad and a pen next to you.
See our sources:
Older adults and prescription drugs: National Institute on Aging
