How to prepare for your next online consultation with your doctor

To ensure your access to high-quality online doctor consultations, Discovery Health offers you Connected Care, a platform through which to access integrated online healthcare. Connected Care gives you benefits, services and connected digital capabilities to help you manage your health and wellness at home.

1. What is an online consultation?

Online consultations aim to help you get the healthcare you need without having to leave your home to see a doctor. This sort of doctor consultation makes life easier both in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic - and in general.

For years, video technologies have been helping doctors to connect with patients located in remote communities without good healthcare services in place, allowing them. In this way people who would not have had access to medical experts, or who would have had to travel very far to reach them, could still consult with them digitally.

2. When is an online consultation right for you?

An online consultation can work well when you:

• Have a minor illness, such as sore throat, a rash or minor sprains
• Want to check in with the doctor about your chronic illness
• Want to tell your doctor how you are doing with the new medicine or therapy they prescribed

3. What do you need for an online consultation?

To have a proper, useful and private consultation, you need a quiet space. You will also need the technology to make it work:

• A device:
  • A mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet
    OR
  • A laptop or desktop computer
• A reliable internet connection (preferably Wi-Fi)
• An access point, such as Discovery's Connected Care platform link

• A device such as the home kit enhances the experience

Home is a world-leading device that can improve your online consultation. During the consultation, the Home device can send clinical-quality images of your ear, nose and skin, and even heart and lung sounds to your doctor. Your doctor can see these images and hear the sounds virtually. Due to the quality of these images and sounds, the doctor can make a diagnosis that they would not otherwise be able to make during the online consultation.

4. How to prepare for an online medical appointment

Just as with an in-person visit with your healthcare team, you'll get more out of every minute if you plan ahead.

• Download the needed software, such as Discovery's Connected Care well before your medical appointment.
• Find a quiet area in your home with strong Wi-Fi or mobile data reception
• Check that you have enough data
• Check your camera and set it at eye level to make it easy for your doctor to see and talk with you.
• Make sure your device has working speakers and a microphone (or a headset).
• Check that you have enough battery power before you start your appointment.
• Compile a list of your medicine and supplements.

5. During the online medical appointment

• Tell the doctor about the reason for your consultation, including any new or changed symptoms.
• Make sure to let your doctor know if there's another person in the room during your appointment. It is fine to have someone there to help you remember the conversation.
• Ask about the best way to reach them if you have questions, unexpected side effects or worsening symptoms after the consultation.

6. After the online medical appointment

• Writing down what the doctor said while the information is still fresh.
• Follow up as the doctor requested. That might mean:
  • Taking medicine
  • Booking another online consultation
  • Booking an in-person visit
  • Going for blood tests, imaging tests or a physical exam
• Always follow up with your doctor if anything changes (such as worsening symptoms) or if you have questions.

So, stay safe, stay connected from home.