As the pandemic drags on, parents are understandably nervous about taking the kids to the doctor’s office. An alternative form of doctor’s visits are telehealth appointments where you and the kids meet with the doctor virtually on the computer. Here is expert advice on how to prepare:
Have Information Ready You need to assist the doctor by having relevant information ready before the session begins. This includes, say Dr. Claire McCarthy, a pediatrician, and Dr. Tamara Perry, a child allergist and immunologist, your kids’ height, weight and temperature, a list of current medications and, if it’s a sick visit, details about the issue (when it began, how bad it is, and medications you’ve already tried). If your kids have a rash or another visible ailment, take photos and either upload them to their patient portal ahead of time or be ready to show them to the doctor.
Prepare The Kids Talk to your kids about what to expect during the consultation, and try to alleviate any anxiety they may have. Most kids are now familiar and comfortable with online school instruction, but answering personal questions and talking about their health via a computer to a doctor is new to them. “Have a conversation with your child about what remote care is,” says Katherine Martinelli of the Child Mind Institute, “and ask if they have any questions or concerns.” That’ll help put them at ease before the session starts.
Maintain Their Privacy Put your kids at ease by making the consultation as private as possible. “Provide a private room if you can,” Ms. Martinelli says, “and make sure that siblings and other family members don’t interrupt.” Dr. Erica Lee, a child psychologist, agrees: “turn on the television or play music at a low volume in the next room, put in headphones, or use a noise machine to create a cocoon of privacy.”
Stay Or Leave If your kids are young, stay with them during the consultation, on your lap if possible, to make them feel safe. You may need to answer most of the doctor’s questions for them, or help them explain to the doctor how they’re feeling. If they’re teens, Dr. McCarthy says, “leave the room and don’t listen at the door.”
Test Computer Equipment No matter how familiar you and the kids are with technology, test all the hardware and software that you’ll need for the consultation prior to the appointment. This includes your laptop or tablet, the website or app that the doctor will be using, the internet browser that supports the website or app (e.g., some only work on Chrome or Firefox), as well as any software that you may have to download and use. “This way,” Ms. Martinelli says, “you won’t waste precious minutes dealing with technical difficulties.”