When we first entered a period of lockdown in early 2020 and health services transitioned to using telehealth services, I think most of us imagined that telehealth was a temporary measure, necessary because of the extraordinary circumstances at the time. But now, 18 months on telehealth has become one of the main ways that many of us are still accessing our health care. For us in Melbourne, this has a lot to do with the extended periods of lockdown we have been experiencing. But even when we’re not having to socially distance ourselves, telehealth can sometimes be the provider’s and client’s preferred choice for an appointment; telehealth can mean you don’t have to take time off work, arrange childcare, miss long periods of school and you can see a specialist who is based a long way from home with ease. Even if you’re only having the occasional appointment via telehealth, it might be worth spending some time reviewing your setup to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your appointment. Here are our tips for getting the most out of your telehealth session.
Consider your location
One of the best ways to maximise the benefit of your telehealth session is to set yourself up in a private, comfortable space where you feel free to talk. Make sure there is adequate lighting so that your practitioner can see you, just as they would if you were in the same room. If you’re outside, try and find a space protected from the wind so that it doesn’t interfere with the sound. Consider a closed door for extra privacy, a very private space outdoors, a meeting room at work or even your car. If you are worried about others over hearing you during your appointment (which is understandable, especially if you’re at home), consider discussing these concerns with the other members of your household; they could consider going for a walk or wearing headphones for the duration of your appointment to support you. If you are still feeling concerned about being overheard during your appointment, discuss this with your specialist so they can help you navigate this.
Test your technology
Successful telehealth is of course dependent on the technology you have, but it doesn’t have to be fancy. Make sure your equipment is fully charged and test it prior to your appointment to make sure that everything is running smoothly. Consider using headphones to enhance your capacity to hear your specialist and position yourself close to your microphone. At the beginning of your session discuss a backup plan with your specialist in the event of a technical glitch; this could mean switching to a phone call for example.
Set yourself up
Consider the things your will need during your appointment and have everything on hand and ready to go by your side. You might need a glass of water, a pen and paper or a worksheet you had as a home task for your last appointment. Turn your phone onto silent (or even better, ‘do not disturb’) and switch off notifications that come through to the device you’re using. Have a blanket for your knees if it’s chilly and other items that help your feel comfortable, like cushions. If you’re hungry, or squeezing your appointment in on your lunchbreak, eat before your session or wait until afterwards; eating during your appointment tends to make it hard to communicate clearly. Not only will all of these things help you be practically prepared for your session, but they will help you feel mentally prepared for your session, helping you transition out of your regular day and into the health space.
Go slow
Communicating during a telehealth appointment is very similar to communicating during a face to face appointment, and just because the appointment isn’t face to face doesn’t mean it has to be faster or more business-like. However, it is much easier to have an awkward pause, or to accidentally interrupt one another, talk over one another or miss a word or two because of a technical glitch. The best way to manage this is to expect that you and your specialist might get tripped up here or there. Take your time to clarify, repeat yourself and ask questions.
Take some time to transition back
After your appointment it is important to take some time to think about your session and allow yourself some time to transition yourself back into your day. Be careful not to just rush straight from your appointment into a meeting or back to school straight away. Take some time to think, get a drink, jot down some notes, sit quietly or move about a little. These small things will help you to separate the space your required for your health care and the space you are living/working/studying in, which is an important boundary. If you are having trouble with this process consider talking to your specialist about it, as they may be able to help you begin your transition before your appointment ends.
Treat your appointment like a regular appointment
Finally, consider your telehealth appointment as the same as a face to face appointment. On one hand this means considering things like being on time and dedicating the time required for a full appointment as you would if you were in person. But on the other hand, it also means approaching it with openness and a willingness to engage fully with your practitioner so that you can get the most out of your time together.
In this new health care landscape, we are learning all the time about how to best provide telehealth care and how receive telehealth care services, and as our technologies develop, we are bound to find even more innovative ways to stay connected while apart. Let’s keep working together. If you need support with your mental health or how best to set yourself up for your telehealth sessions please contact our administration team on (03) 9882 8874 or visit our website at melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au.