[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/08\/your-first-telemedicine-visit\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/08\/your-first-telemedicine-visit\/","headline":"What To Know Before Your First Telemedicine Visit","name":"What To Know Before Your First Telemedicine Visit","description":"Telemedicine lets you to connect with providers, using telemedicine apps or telehealth platforms at UPMC. Here's what to know before your first video visit.","datePublished":"2021-08-23","dateModified":"2025-08-15","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/iStock-1187582529.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/iStock-1187582529.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/08\/your-first-telemedicine-visit\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":602,"articleBody":"If you\u2019re thinking of trying out virtual health care, you may be wondering how to prepare. You may even be wondering\u00a0what a telehealth visit is, and how it\u2019s different from a traditional oneUPMC makes it remarkably easy to use telehealth services. Telehealth includes the range of health-related services that happen remotely, using technology.RELATED: Learn more about\u00a0UPMC\u2019s Telemedicine servicesTelemedicine is one of those services. A good\u00a0telemedicine example\u00a0is a video visit with a health care provider.Though telemedicine is technically a type of telehealth, it\u2019s common to use these two terms interchangeably.What Is a Telemedicine Visit?A telemedicine visit is a virtual interaction with a health care provider. Instead of sitting in an exam room, you and your provider meet via a screen. By asking questions and examining you using video technology, your provider can treat you.Video visits take about the same amount of time as regular office visits. Providers can run behind schedule, the same way they can in the office. You may have to wait for a few minutes for your provider to join the video.Once the provider appears, they will ask questions about what brings you \u201cin\u201d today. They may ask about your medical or family history, as well as your current symptoms.You may work together to provide vital signs, using whatever home equipment you have. This includes a scale, a blood pressure monitor, a pulse oximeter, or other wearable technology.To examine you, your provider might do things like:Have you aim the screen so they can get a closer look at a rash or part of the body, such as sore throat.Ask you to feel (\u201cpalpate\u201d) where it hurts and describe how it feels.Have you do simple moves to test your range of motion, like stretch your arm or reach for your toes.Look at your medications with you.How to Prepare For a Telemedicine VisitThere are a few simple steps you can take to make the most of your telemedicine visit.First, assess which room in your home is best for the visit. Some things to consider about place:You want a comfortable, quiet place to sit. A living room chair or couch, an office chair, or even a kitchen chair can work.You also want to make sure that you have good lighting. Consider bringing a lamp near the chair or desk where you\u2019ll be.Try not to sit in an area where there is a window directly behind you, because it makes it difficult to see you.Gather any monitoring equipment you have, such as a scale, blood pressure cuff, or pulse oximeter. If you\u2019ve been keeping track of blood pressure readings, have those handy to share.Ensure that you have good sound and that your microphone is in working order. If you have headphones or ear buds, using them will give you the best quality.Be ready with any questions for your provider, just as you would if you were seeing them in person. Make a list of issues to discuss or details of your symptoms.How to Schedule a Video VisitUPMC offers video visits for both new and returning patients.If you\u2019re a current patient, you can use your UPMC patient portal to schedule an appointment. For new patients, you can find and schedule care by visiting the UPMC Provider Directory.If you need care urgently UPMC also offers walk-in care services. To learn more, click here.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on August 23, 2021, and was last reviewed on August 15, 2025."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2021","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What To Know Before Your First Telemedicine Visit","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/08\/your-first-telemedicine-visit\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]