You’ve decided virtual care is right for you and your health, so you scheduled a virtual visit with your doctor. Now what is the next step?

Virtual visits use live, secure, video technology to allow patients to directly see and speak with their physician through the convenience of their mobile device, tablet or computer. Virtual visits are never recorded, and use encrypted software to ensure your visit is private and secure.

Once you have scheduled an appointment, you will be provided instructions on how to access your virtual visit. While it is important that you follow these instructions to access your appointment, there are some steps you can take beforehand that will help ensure a successful visit.

How to Prepare for Your Virtual Visit

You can access your virtual visit via a tablet, smart phone, or computer. It is helpful for you to have a list of symptoms and questions written down before your visit. You will also need to have a list of all your medications. If possible, have the prescription bottles with you during the appointment in case you need additional information e.g. dosage. Try to connect to your visit 15 minutes before your appointment is scheduled to start, and find a quiet, private location with good lighting and a strong internet connection. Prepare ahead of time by following the steps below.

Download Zoom. If you are using a tablet or smart phone, download Zoom from the Google Play store, or the Apple app store. If you are using a desktop or laptop computer, make sure your camera, speaker and microphone are enabled. Go to zoom.us/download to download Zoom onto your computer.

Test Audio and Video. Before your meeting, make sure your internet can support an audio and video connection. To test your audio and video, go to zoom.us/test if you are connecting with a computer. If you have downloaded Zoom, you’ll be prompted to select the “join meeting” button. If you have not downloaded Zoom, you will be given instructions to download Zoom onto your device or computer, or you can join via your web browser. From there, you’ll be promoted to select the “join with video” button, to turn on your camera. Then click “join with computer audio” to test your audio. If you have any issues getting a successful test connection, you should call the 24 hour technical support line at 877-321-0057.   

Gather Tools. During your appointment your doctor may need to record specific information such as: your temperature, your heart rate, and your weight. Depending on the nature of your visit, a thermometer, blood pressure measurement, a watch and a flashlight could be helpful. Ask your primary or specialty care office about any tools you might need for your appointment.

How to Start Your Visit

Now that you’ve downloaded Zoom on your smartphone or tablet, and tested your microphone and camera, you can connect to your virtual visit using the instructions provided to you when you scheduled your appointment. These are the steps:

1. Open Zoom. Open the app that is now downloaded on your smartphone, tablet or computer. You can also go to zoom.us/join. If you were given a direct link to your provider’s virtual exam room, you can also click that link to take you directly to the virtual waiting room. This link will be in the Zoom invite that was sent to you via email.
2. Enter the 10-digit number your doctor’s office provided you when prompted. If you were not provided a 10-digit number, you will not need to enter one. If you were given a direct link to your provider’s virtual exam room, you can also click that link to take you directly to the virtual waiting room.
3. Standby in the virtual waiting room. Once you are connected, you will see a message that says, “Please wait, the meeting host will let you in soon.” Your doctor will get a message that you are in the waiting room. Then you will be admitted into the virtual exam room.
4. Turn on your microphone. Make sure your audio is on and your doctor can hear you, by selecting the “join audio” button at the bottom left corner of your screen. If you are using a computer, click “join with computer audio.” If you are using a computer that doesn’t have a microphone, you can connect with your phone by selecting the “phone call” tab and dialing one of the numbers that appear. If you would like to call on your tablet or smartphone using internet audio, click on the “call via device audio” option.
5. Turn on your camera. To make sure your camera is on, select the “start video” icon. Make sure the room are in has enough lighting so the doctor can see you clearly. Then you are ready to begin your visit.

Now you are ready to begin your virtual visit. Get comfortable and try to limit the amount of distractions you might have during your visit. For more information on what to expect during your visit, click  here. If you have any questions about your virtual visit, please don’t hesitate to call 877-321-0057 or email videovisitsupport@dignityhealth.org. Call your provider directly if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment.