The coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives in many ways. Adapting to the “new normal” can be difficult, I know. However, now we have enough technological solutions to continue many of our regular activities. For instance, we’re getting used to working from home and ordering takeout. I stay in touch with my friends and relatives thanks to video calls, and I even purchased weights to work out at home. Is there anything we can’t do from home? For instance, what can you do if you or your child feel sick?
Doctors are busier than ever because of COVID-19 patients, so you may not want to take your child to a doctor unless the problem is really serious. Nevertheless, you may still need someone to tell you what your child’s symptoms might mean and what medication you need to buy. Here’s where telemedicine comes in handy. Thanks to modern technology, you and your kids can visit a doctor with no need to leave the safety of your home.
Telemedicine is a very convenient solution, and we recommend that you prepare for such a visit. Here are some useful tips that might help you.
1. Plan Your Appointment as If You Planned an In-Person Visit
We recommend that you prepare for an appointment so that you won’t forget any important information. If you’re preparing your child for a telemedicine visit, it means that you have some questions. We suggest that you write down a list of specific questions so that you can make the visit as effective as possible. If your child is already taking some sort of medication, make sure to write down a list of medications with the dosage.
2. Check Your Hardware and Software
This step is especially important if this is your first telemedicine visit. You should make sure that your phone or computer works properly and that you have the necessary software. Besides, you may need to check the speed of your internet connection. The success of the visit directly depends on technical factors.
Therefore, we recommend that you make sure that you won’t waste your time dealing with technical difficulties during the visit. In addition, you don’t want to waste your time in the beginning, to set up your devices or software. Make sure that everything is ready, in advance.
3. Choose the Right Space
First of all, nothing should distract you so that you can focus on the visit. Secondly, you need to make sure that the chosen space is well-lit and quiet so that the doctor can see and hear you well.
4. Explain What’s Going to Happen
Of course, your child may not understand what a telemedicine visit is. We recommend that you talk to him or her and describe the process so that your child can understand what to expect and how to behave. First, the doctor might ask questions about your kid’s medical history. After that, the doctor might start a virtual examination and evaluation of your child’s condition. Your child may also need to answer some questions.
5. Think of How You’ll Going to Entertain Your Child
Your child might need something to play with while you’re talking to the doctor. You don’t want your kid to make any noise or to run around. We suggest that you prepare a toy or book so that you and the doctor can focus on the visit, without any distractions.
Final Thoughts
The coronavirus pandemic has influenced our lives in many ways. Doctors are busy all the time. Besides, you may not want to take your kid to a doctor because of social distancing, especially if the symptoms are not serious. Fortunately, the internet enables you and your child to visit a doctor online. We suggest that you prepare for the telemedicine visit, write down a list of questions and symptoms, and talk to your child to explain what the visit will look like.
We also recommend that you keep in mind that telemedicine has a number of limitations. For instance, it can be a great solution if your child has diarrhea, colds, rashes, or a sore throat. At the same time, if your child suffers from chest pain, bleeding, or fractures, you should visit the doctor in person because these symptoms require a more thorough examination.
