What It’s Like: Doctor’s Appointment Over Video Call [like Skype]

I want to meet my doctor at the hospital, but I can’t. It’s Covid-19 times and I’m stuck. The hospital management thinks, evolves and creates a new online infrastructure that allows us to get a consultation over a video call. But how does it feel? How does it work? What’s the process for video call doctor’s appointments? How should I prepare for it? I share it all here…

This is a true story – something I have experienced. It wasn’t my appointment, it was my mum’s appointment but I set it up, I was there and was very involved in that appointment as I was advocating for her. I have also spoken to my mum to know how she felt as an elderly patient in this new-normal contactless form of getting medical advice.

I live in Mumbai, India so the experience I’m about to share is based on the city/country and even the hospital I took an appointment from. But I am assuming that this model is roughly followed at most places around the world.

How to Book the Appointment: The Process

Booking a video call or a Skype appointment is easy.

You are required to register and login to the hospital’s website. Get onto their “shop” page and select the type of an appointment you’re in need of. There are options that included: just a regular doctor’s appointment, international patient consultation, speech therapy, counselling sessions, physiotherapy etc.

I selected a regular doctor’s appointment. This took me to a booking page from which I could choose my doctor’s name and two possible dates for when I’d like the appointment.

You are advised to choose dates that are at least two days away.

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I paid for this appointment and within a short span of time, I receive a call from the hospital with possible available dates and timings available.

I choose the preferred day/time.

A confirmation email which has the doctor’s Skype ID is sent to me – the doctor is also cc’d on this email.

I am also advised to email any reports 30 minutes before the appointment.

So on a Monday, I was able to book an appointment for Wednesday.

How to Prepare for a Doctor’s Appointment over Video Call [Skype]

Just as I would before any doctor’s appointments, I make sure my reports are in order.

I create an email draft in which I:

1. write brief but important patient history
2. current medication
3. current symptoms
4. attach the reports
5. attach any relevant images of patient symptoms

I keep this email ready to send 30 minutes before the appointment.

In a separate draft, I have all of the above four things, plus a list of questions I wish to ask.

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On the day of the appointment, I set up the laptop in a place that is well lit up and at a height that is most comfortable for the patient and at a distance that provides proper visibility of the patient for the doctor.

Also, right next to the laptop, I keep my phone open on the questions I wish to ask the doctor making it easier to look at my questions and to also not appear disrespectful that I am glancing at my phone while the doctor is speaking to us.

How Did the Video Call Appointment Go?

I called at the time of the appointment and luckily the doctor was available and picked up too.

He hadn’t had a chance to go over the email I had sent 30 minutes before the appointment time, but did go over it with me in the first few minutes of the appointment asking relevant questions along the way.

The appointment lasted just over 20 minutes in which the doctor was thorough. He took time to understand the case, listened to the patient and me too. He even explained his process of thinking and the various possible steps ahead.

He prescribed medicines and tests and asked to follow up once those results were in.

As a standard, that’s really how doctors and various medical professionals should be – transparent.

When they explain their thinking and all the possible angles, it keeps us, the patient feeling involved, which is great considering it is OUR body. You do want to know what’s going on!

My mother was really happy that this option existed. She felt that considering she is in the high risk category and that her daughter (me) is too – we were protected through this option.

Yes for the tests, which were absolutely unavoidable, we did have to visit the hospital – but the video-call appointment meant one less trip. One less opportunity of being in contact with people considering Mumbai has quite a high number of Covid-19 cases.

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I always believe that if you’re not ready to adapt and be open to change it’ll feel like a struggle. I was weary of how this would go but we were willing to try it out – there really wasn’t a safer choice and I’m glad we went for it.

A lot of this good-experience credit goes to the ease of the booking process and most importantly, how thorough the doctor was, for which I am extremely grateful for.

It gave my mother a lot of confidence and she felt comfortable. She felt cared for and heard – the two important things most chronic illness patients are looking for.

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Have you had a video / Skype call yet with your doctor? How is the process in your city? I would love to know because it’s always nice to exchange notes – right?

Please do share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Thank you for reading.

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I am a patient and have created this platform to share my experiences. This is all purely informative and in no way am I providing medical advice. Please consult a medical professional.