Knowing when telehealth makes sense, when it doesn’t, and how to prepare can lead to better healthcare outcomes.
Telehealth [archived link], also known as telemedicine or virtual care, is a method of accessing certain types of healthcare services and information without visiting a clinician’s office, using a phone, tablet, or computer instead. During a typical telehealth appointment, you can see and talk with a clinician on your screen, similar to a Zoom or FaceTime call, using a secure platform. It could also include messaging with a clinician within a healthcare portal like MyChart. Telehealth connects you with a real human, and it is not the same as interacting with artificial intelligence-based bots.
Getting to an in-person appointment can mean taking time off work, arranging childcare, or driving long distances, sometimes for a visit that lasts only a few minutes. When used appropriately, research shows telehealth can make getting care easier, more convenient, and faster, and can be just as effective as in-person care as seen in this study looking at palliative care. It can also give people more choices for healthcare providers or specialists, such as clinicians who would not normally be an option because their offices are too far away.
💻 When is telehealth a good option?
Telehealth works best for health needs that don’t require urgent or same-day exams, imaging, or testing. These are some of the most common and well-supported uses[archived link] people can ask their clinicians about:
- Monitoring chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes
- Getting advice for non-urgent concerns like a common rash or cold
- Receiving mental health support, including therapy and medication management
- Accessing care for substance use disorders
- Working with a nutrition expert
- Doing physical or occupational therapy
- Following up on ongoing care needs, such as post-surgery check-ins or gender-affirming care
- Completing sexual health assessments, where people can discuss topics like HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis and request resources and testing
To learn more about real-world ways people are currently using telehealth, check out these case studies compiled by the American Medical Association.
⛔ When is telehealth not the right choice?
Telehealth should never replace urgent or emergency care. If you’re experiencing chest pain, signs of stroke, severe shortness of breath, serious injury, confusion, uncontrolled pain, or rapidly worsening symptoms, do not choose virtual care. These situations may be life-threatening and require immediate, in-person evaluation. As noted earlier, telehealth is also not a good option when people need services that require urgent or same day exams, imaging, or testing.
⚖️ Health equity alert: For many people, using telehealth can be hard. For example, not having a smartphone, limited access to high-speed internet, and not knowing how to use the required technology are common challenges that prevent people from using telehealth. People who do not have a computer, tablet, or smartphone or access to the internet [archived link] can ask their clinician if they can have a phone call for their telehealth visit rather than a video call, go to a library or other community resource that has free internet, or see if they qualify for programs like Lifeline to help lower costs.
✅ How can I help make a telehealth visit successful?
A good telehealth visit starts before logging on. Preparing for visits—whether virtual or in person—can improve communication, help people feel more satisfied with their care, and lead to better health outcomes.
Before the visit…
- Know the costs. Check with your insurance company or clinician to understand any out-of-pocket expenses.
- Use tools like this guide or this tip sheet [archived link] to help organize your feelings, questions, and concerns.
- Have your medication list ready, including over-the-counter medications and supplements.
- Test your technology and choose a quiet, well-lit space.
- Log on a few minutes early to make sure everything is working properly.
During the visit…
- Ask questions if anything is not clear.
- Take notes to help you remember important details.
- Confirm next steps, including prescriptions, tests, referrals, or follow-up plans.
After the visit…
- Review your visit summary or online portal notes.
- Know what changes in your health status should prompt in-person care.
Read more [archived link] about ways to get the most out of your healthcare visits.
👉Additional telehealth resources and articles:
- Mayo Clinic: Telehealth – Technology Meets Health Care
- Kaiser Permanente: 5 Issues You Can Address in an Easy Telehealth Visit
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Benefits of Telemedicine
- NIH News In Health: Talking With Your Doctor [archived link]
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Telehealth information hub
This post is part of a series exploring telehealth. If you have specific questions or topics you’d like answered in a follow-up post, please submit them here.
