How to Make the Most of a Virtual Visit
- Sarai Ambert-Pompey
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Virtual visits are now a normal—and often better—way to get timely, high‑quality care. When used appropriately, telehealth can save time, reduce stress, and help you stay connected with a physician who knows your story and your health baseline. At Libélula, we use telehealth to make your care more accessible, not more complicated.
Below is a clear, evidence‑based guide to help you understand when virtual care works well, when an in‑person visit is safer, and how to get the most out of your time with your doctor.
Why Virtual Visits Matter
Life is busy. Geography is real. And not everyone can take half a day off work to drive across town, find parking, and sit in a waiting room.
A virtual visit can:
Save hours of travel, traffic, and parking hassle
Reduce the need to take extended time off work
Make care accessible for people with mobility challenges
Help rural patients avoid long-distance trips
Allow quick 15‑minute check‑ins with a physician who already knows you
Telehealth isn’t about replacing your doctor—it’s about removing barriers so you can get care when you need it.
What Telehealth Is (and Isn’t)
Appropriate for Virtual Visits
These are situations where evidence shows telehealth is effective:
Medication follow‑ups
Reviewing lab results
Chronic disease check‑ins (blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, etc.)
Mental health support
Skin concerns (with photos or video)
Mild acute issues (cough, allergies, UTI symptoms, etc.)
Care coordination and referrals
Questions about new symptoms that don’t require a physical exam
Not Appropriate for Virtual Visits
Some conditions require in‑person evaluation for safety:
Chest pain or trouble breathing
Severe abdominal pain
Neurologic changes (weakness, slurred speech, confusion)
Injuries needing hands‑on exam or imaging
Procedures, vaccines, or labs
Anything where your doctor needs to listen to your heart, lungs, or abdomen
Telehealth expands access—but it doesn’t replace the physical exam when it’s needed.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Care
Telehealth isn’t just video calls. There are two main types:
1. Synchronous (Live Video or Phone)
Real‑time conversation with your doctor.
Best for:
New symptoms
Medication adjustments
Reviewing changes in your health
Questions that need back‑and‑forth discussion
2. Asynchronous (Secure Messaging or Email)
You send a detailed message, photo, or update.
Your doctor reviews it and responds thoughtfully.
Best for:
Updates on chronic conditions
Clarifying instructions
Sharing home readings (BP, glucose, etc.)
Non‑urgent questions
Both forms can be powerful when used intentionally.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Technology can feel intimidating, especially if you’re not used to video visits. But you don’t have to navigate it by yourself.
A family member or friend can help you set up your device if you choose.
Your own virtual “assistant” can be as simple as someone helping you click the right button.
At Libélula, our staff is trained to walk you through the process step‑by‑step.
Evidence Spotlight
A study in a geriatric renal clinic at the VA found that older adults were able to successfully complete video visits when they received personalized coaching—and that different patients needed different types of support.
This reinforces what we see every day: telehealth success is about preparation and guidance, not age or tech experience.
Why Staff Training Matters
Not all telehealth programs are created equal.
At Libélula:
We help you test your camera and microphone
We guide you on how to position your device
We make sure you know how to log in
We help troubleshoot before your appointment starts
When the team is trained, patients feel confident—and the visit is smoother and more productive.
How to Prepare for Your Virtual Visit
A little preparation goes a long way.
Before the visit:
Find a quiet, private space
Check your Wi‑Fi or cell signal
Have your medications nearby
Write down your top 2–3 questions
Take home readings (BP, glucose, weight) if relevant
During the visit:
Speak clearly and honestly
Share any changes since your last appointment
Show rashes or swelling with good lighting
Ask for clarification if something isn’t clear
After the visit:
Review your care plan
Send any follow‑up information requested
Schedule your next check‑in
Telehealth Quality Depends on the Relationship
Not all telehealth is the same. The evidence is clear: telehealth delivered by your own primary care physician leads to safer, more appropriate care than episodic virtual visits with a rotating or unknown clinician.
Several studies have shown that inappropriate antibiotic prescribing is significantly higher in direct‑to‑consumer telehealth platforms where patients see a random provider they will never meet again. These visits often lack access to your medical history, baseline health information, or previous treatment responses—factors that matter when deciding whether antibiotics are truly needed.
In contrast, when telehealth is integrated into ongoing primary care, prescribing quality improves. Your own physician:
Knows your medical history
Understands your chronic conditions
Recognizes your baseline symptoms
Has no incentive to “satisfy” a one‑time patient with unnecessary medications
Can follow up and reassess if symptoms change
This continuity is one of the strongest predictors of appropriate, evidence‑based prescribing—whether the visit is virtual or in person.
At Libélula, this is exactly how telehealth is designed to work. You’re not retelling your story to a stranger. You’re talking to the same physician who knows you, your values, and your health patterns. That relationship is what keeps care safe, personalized, and grounded in evidence.
References:
Hawley CE, Genovese N, Owsiany MT, et al. Rapid adoption of video visits in a geriatric renal clinic during COVID‑19: evaluation and implementation considerations. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2020;68(11):2468‑2473.
Ray KN, Shi Z, Gidengil CA, Poon SJ, Uscher‑Pines L, Mehrotra A. Antibiotic prescribing during pediatric direct‑to‑consumer telemedicine visits. Pediatrics. 2019;143(5):e20181017.
Uscher‑Pines L, Mulcahy A, Cowling D, et al. Access and quality of care in direct‑to‑consumer telemedicine. JAMA Intern Med. 2016;176(10):1450‑1452.
4. Mehrotra A, Ray KN, Brockmeyer DM, Barnett ML, Bender JA. Rapid growth in telemedicine for primary care during the pandemic: implications for quality and access. JAMA Intern Med. 2021;181(3):388‑389.
5. American Telemedicine Association. Practice Guidelines for Telehealth. ATA; 2023.
6. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Telehealth: Evidence and Evaluation Resources. AHRQ; 2023.
7. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare Telehealth Services: Final Policy Updates for CY 2024 and Beyond. CMS; 2024.
8. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Telehealth Services. CMS; 2024.
9. Association of American Medical Colleges. Telehealth Competencies Across the Learning Continuum. AAMC; 2021.
10. American Academy of Family Physicians. Telehealth and Primary Care: Position Paper. AAFP; 2023.
11. American College of Physicians. Direct‑to‑Consumer Telemedicine: Policy Recommendations. ACP; 2023.
12. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Implementing High‑Quality Primary Care: Rebuilding the Foundation of Health Care. National Academies Press; 2021.
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