How to make the most of your telehealth appointment
April 1, 2020
Have you scheduled a telehealth appointment with Student Health and Counseling yet?
Feeling weird about it? Telehealth can certainly be a new experience but there are
ways to make it a smooth, enjoyable and beneficial process. Here are some tips to
make the most of your telehealth appointment:Plan Ahead
In any type of therapeutic setting, it can be helpful to write some things down you would like to discuss with your counselor. Make note of your emotions, thoughts and feelings leading up to your appointment and discuss these with your therapist. Try and prioritize what is most important for you to talk about during your time together.
Set The Scene
Make note of your environment. Where is the best place for you to have your telehealth appointment? Find a quiet place with privacy and no distractions, away from family members and pets. It would be best to have a room you can use where you can lock the door or put a sign out to not be disturbed. This is your time.
Troubleshoot
Check your technology ahead of time. Student Health and Counseling is using SecureVideo as its telehealth platform which operates through Zoom. Make sure you have the most updated version of Zoom on your computer in advance of your appointment. Check your video and audio connections, making sure you will be properly lighted and visible on camera, as well as heard. The best lighting for telehealth is side lighting, as opposed to being backlit.
Be Timely
Check in early. If it is your first telehealth appointment there will be additional documents to fill out before we can begin your appointment. You will also still complete CCAPS before every appointment to monitor your symptoms. Checking in to your appointment 15 minutes early should be adequate to complete these documents.
Be Flexible
It's okay to try new things. Embrace the awkward! This might be a new experience for you and it may take a minute to get your bearings. It's ok. We will figure this out together. Let's check in on how this is working and adjust as needed. The important thing is, we are here for you. You do not need to be alone.
If you would like to schedule a telehealth appointment, please call us at 474-7043 to set one up! We will email you through secure messaging all the information you need to get started. Remember, we are here for you! We may be physically distanced for awhile, but we can still connect.
Take care and stay safe,
Your UAF counselors