Here's What You Should Know Before Your Next Telehealth Visit

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Telehealth makes health care more accessible to patients regardless of location or circumstance. With the new coronavirus continuing to spread, telehealth allows patients to visit primary and specialty doctors without having to leave the comfort or safety of their homes. In-hospital video visits are also available to accelerate time-sensitive treatments and provide safe care.

With Banner Telehealth for primary, specialty and urgent care, you can remotely manage the services and care you and your loved ones need. Video visits can be used to refill a prescription, ask questions about symptoms you’re experiencing and so much more.

And as Matthew Anderson, MD, clinical innovation lead at Banner Health, points out, Banner Telehealth services are designed to be helpful for everyone, not just younger generations. As Dr. Anderson says on Banner Health's blog, “All types of people have benefited from this capability, especially older generations, which have found video visits to be convenient and safe.”

Here's what you need to know in order to make the most of your next telehealth visit.

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If you or your loved one are experiencing an emergency, call 911. Do not use telehealth for emergency care.

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Find The Right Telehealth Service For You

Nearly all Banner doctors and health care providers are able to provide telehealth care. If a visit requires lab work or hands-on treatment, you'll need to schedule an in-person appointment.

Banner — University Medicine offers the following telehealth services:

Telehealth Primary Care: For general at-home health care, you'll likely want to schedule a telehealth visit with your primary care provider's office. According to Banner Health, many common conditions can be treated virtually by your primary care provider. These include:

• Acne
• Allergies
• Body aches
• Bronchitis
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Earache
• Fever
• Flu
• Headache
• Nasal congestion
• Nausea
• Pink eye
• Respiratory infections
• Sinus infections
• Skin infections
• Sore throat
• Urinary tract infection
• Vomiting
• Yeast infection

Telehealth Urgent Care: For medical needs that are not life-threatening, you can book your telehealth urgent care visit appointment through Banner Urgent Care. Check available services and view appointment times online to schedule your next video visit.

Telerehab Services: Banner — University Medicine's telerehab program offers physical, occupational and speech therapy from the convenience of home. Telerehab sessions may be offered in place of or in addition to in-person sessions, depending on the patient's condition and preference.

TeleBehavioral Health: Banner — University Medicine's TeleBehavioral Health program allows emergency department patients with behavioral health issues to visit virtually with a behavioral health provider. With this service, an emergency physician can request a consultation from a behavioral health provider. When the secure video link is established, the behavioral health provider works with the physician to assess the patient and create a treatment plan.

Telehealth Cancer Care: Patients can safely receive care with Banner — University Medicine's experts on their cancer journey. Although some visits require testing or hands-on care, many consultations and follow-ups are able to happen virtually.

Banner iCare™: Banner iCare™ is a high-tech in-home care delivery model that allows Banner Health Network members with complex, chronic illnesses to receive treatment from home. Through the use of a tablet-like device, patients interact directly with their health team to track and address medical concerns.

Other Telehealth Services: Banner — University Medicine also offers virtual care for patients with Alzheimer's and TeleICU care for patients and for families with a loved one in the intensive care unit. Other telehealth services include telehealth consultations, telehealth neurological care and telehealth wound care.

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Schedule An Appointment

Most physicians offer an option to schedule and book an in-person appointment online. If you prefer, you can call the provider's office directly to set a time for your video visit. With Banner Telehealth services, you'll receive a confirmation and invitation to your appointment via email. The provider will also send over reminders and notifications as your appointment date nears.

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Prepare For Your Video Visit

In order to have a successful virtual visit, you'll need a device such as a mobile phone, computer, laptop or tablet with video and audio capabilities. Dr. Anderson, Banner Health's clinical innovation lead, recommends downloading and logging into the video call services that you will be using before your appointment.

Many Banner — University Medicine providers use a video conferencing tool called eVisit. If this is what your doctor will be using for your virtual visit, you'll receive an email prompting you to set up an eVisit account. On average, this takes 5-10 minutes.

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How To Join A Video Visit With Your Doctor

After you schedule an appointment, your provider's office will prompt you via email to complete a patient intake form. There will be a box for you to check to confirm the information entered is accurate and that you're granting electronic consent for the provider to treat you. You should receive a confirmation email to let you know you're all set for your scheduled telehealth appointment.

To join your appointment, Banner Health suggests logging in 15 minutes before it is scheduled to begin and clicking the "Join Now" button. This will take you to a virtual waiting room. (If you log in more than 15 minutes prior to your appointment, you won't be able to join the virtual room.) When entering the virtual waiting room, click "allow" for camera and audio so your provider can see and hear you through your device. Make sure you're in a room with a strong Wi-Fi signal so you're able to communicate clearly with your provider.

Once you're in the virtual waiting room, your telehealth care provider will receive a notice that you're there. When the provider is ready to see you, they'll ask you to click "join now" again. This will bring you virtually face to face with your provider, allowing you to see and hear them in real time during your appointment.

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What To Do After Your Telehealth Appointment

Many providers and support staff will send a brief survey after your visit asking about your virtual experience. Completing this survey gives your providers valuable feedback to help improve future telehealth visits.

If you were prescribed a medication during your virtual visit, the office will send the script to your preferred local or online pharmacist. Depending on your pharmacy, you may have the option to have your prescription delivered or arrange a no-contact curbside pickup. If you are picking up a medication in person, make sure to wear a mask, practice social distancing and follow any other precautions advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Learn More About Telehealth Services Offered At Banner — University Medicine

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Sources:
Banner: FAQs About Telehealth
Banner Health: Is Telehealth The Present And Future Of Healthcare?
Banner: How To Schedule And Join A Video Visit
Banner Telehealth: What Is Telehealth?

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