How to Prepare for Your Telepsychiatry AppointmentHow to Prepare for Your Telepsychiatry Appointment

You have an appointment with your psychiatrist coming up, but instead of driving to an office, you’ll be logging on from your own home. Telepsychiatry, or receiving mental healthcare via video call, has become a common and incredibly convenient way to access care. But to make the most of it, it helps to be prepared. A virtual appointment is still a real medical appointment, and a little bit of preparation can ensure that the experience is just as effective and professional as a visit in person.

At Televero Health, we are experts in providing care through our telehealth platform. We want you to feel comfortable and confident going into your virtual visit. By taking a few simple steps beforehand, you can help to create a smooth, secure, and productive appointment for both you and your provider.

Step 1: Test Your Technology

Technical glitches can be a major source of stress and can eat into your valuable appointment time. A day or two before your visit, it’s a good idea to do a quick tech check.

  • Check Your Connection: Make sure you have a stable internet connection. If you’re using Wi-Fi, being closer to your router can help.
  • Test the Platform: Your provider’s office will send you a link to their secure telehealth platform. Click on it ahead of time to make sure it works. You may need to download a small piece of software or an app. It’s better to do this now than two minutes before your appointment is scheduled to start.
  • Check Your Camera and Microphone: Make sure your device’s camera and microphone are enabled and working correctly.
  • Charge Your Device: Ensure that the device you’ll be using (your computer, tablet, or phone) is fully charged or plugged in.

Step 2: Create a Private and Professional Space

One of the most important parts of a successful telepsychiatry visit is ensuring your privacy. This is a confidential medical appointment. You need to be in a space where you can speak openly and honestly without being overheard.

  • Find a Quiet, Private Room: Choose a room where you can close the door. If you live with others, let them know that you have an important appointment and ask them not to disturb you for the duration of the call.
  • Minimize Distractions: Turn off your TV, silence your phone notifications, and close any unnecessary tabs on your computer. Try to arrange for childcare or pet care if needed.
  • Think About Your Background: While you don’t need a perfect background, try to sit in a well-lit area with a relatively neutral background behind you. Good lighting is important so your provider can see your face and expressions clearly. Sitting with a window in front of you, rather than behind you, is usually best.

Step 3: Prepare for the Conversation

Just as you would for an in-person visit, take some time to prepare for the discussion itself. This helps to ensure you cover everything you want to talk about.

  • Review Your Symptoms: Think about how you’ve been feeling since your last appointment. What’s been better? What’s been worse? It can be helpful to jot down a few notes.
  • Write Down Your Questions: Make a list of any questions you have for your provider about your medication, your symptoms, or your treatment plan.
  • Have Your Information Ready: Have your list of current medications (including doses) and your pharmacy’s information handy in case your provider needs it.

Step 4: During the Appointment

Log on to the platform a few minutes early to make sure everything is working. Look into the camera as much as possible, as this creates a better sense of connection than looking at your own image on the screen. Speak clearly and don’t be afraid to ask your provider to repeat something if the audio cuts out for a moment.

By taking these simple steps, you can help to eliminate the potential stressors of a virtual visit and create a space that allows you to focus on what truly matters: having a productive, confidential, and healing conversation with your provider.

Key Takeaways

  • Prepare for a telepsychiatry appointment just as you would for an in-person one to ensure it is productive and effective.
  • Test your technology—your internet, camera, and microphone—ahead of time to avoid technical glitches during your appointment.
  • Find a quiet, private, and well-lit space where you can speak openly without distractions or being overheard.
  • Prepare for the conversation by writing down your symptoms, questions, and any other information you need to have handy.

Ready to take the first step? We can help. Get started with Televero Health today.

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