Humboldt General Hospital's telemedicine services, offered in partnership with Renown Medical Center, offer you access to experienced medical specialists right here at HGH—meaning you won't need to travel out of town if you need specialty care.
Telemedicine visits take place at HGH with the help of our team, so you don't need to have your own computer or smartphone.
Telemedicine specialties
HGH's telemedicine services give you access to specialists in many different areas, including:
- Adolescent medicine.
- Behavioral health.
- Coumadin Clinic.
- Ear, nose, and throat.
- Infectious disease.
- Pulmonology, including care for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Sleep medicine.
Scheduling a telemedicine appointment
Reviewed 10/14/2022
Telehealth: Tips for a great video visit
Telehealth is a convenient way to visit with your doctor from home using your smartphone or computer.
If you haven't tried a video visit with your doctor yet, here are some tips to help you have a successful first appointment.
CHOOSE YOUR DEVICE
You can use a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer for your visit. You may need to download an app for your smartphone or software for your computer. Ask what programs you'll need when you call to make the appointment.
Also ask for a contact number you can call in case there's a problem during your video visit. That way you can continue your visit over the phone, if necessary.
CHOOSE A QUIET, WELL-LIGHTED SPACE FOR YOUR VISIT
Find a private area in your house to visit with your doctor. Look for a place free of distractions and interruptions. Light should be coming from overhead or in front of you. You want to avoid glare from light behind you.
PREPARE PAPERWORK AHEAD OF TIME
Your doctor may send forms over for you to complete before the visit. They may ask for things such as:
- Your medical history.
- What medications you take.
- Your pharmacy phone number.
- Insurance information.
TAKE ANY VITAL SIGNS YOU CAN
Your doctor's office can tell you what information they need. They may ask for things like your weight, temperature and blood pressure (if you have a home monitor).
FIND OUT ABOUT INSURANCE COVERAGE
Check with your insurance provider to make sure you understand potential costs, including co-pays, ahead of the visit.
WRITE DOWN QUESTIONS BEFORE YOUR VISIT
You may be distracted by the new technology and not remember everything you wanted to ask your doctor. So write down your questions beforehand.
TEST YOUR CAMERA AND AUDIO SETTINGS
Set your camera at eye-level. Be sure your microphone is turned on and working and that your volume level is up so you can hear. Use headphones or earbuds to ensure that you hear clearly and have the privacy you need. You may also want to try having a video chat with a family member or friend a few days before your appointment to test your equipment.
PLUG IN IF POSSIBLE
If you're using a smartphone for the visit, make sure there's a strong Wi-Fi or mobile signal where you'll be sitting. If you're using a computer, consider plugging directly into the internet instead of using Wi-Fi.
Either have your device plugged in or choose a spot near a power source to ensure that you don't run out of battery in the middle of the visit.
CLOSE ALL OTHER PROGRAMS
Having unnecessary programs running on your device can lower the quality of your video chat.
TAKE OUR TELEHEALTH QUIZ
Virtual visits can be useful for a number of health concerns. Test your knowledge and find out how much you know!
Sources: AARP; American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; American Heart Association
Sources
- AARP. "How to Connect With Your Doctor Virtually." https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/connecting-virtual-doctor-visits.html.
- AARP. "How to Get Started With Telemedicine." https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/get-started-with-telemedicine.html.
- American Academy of Asthma Allergy and Immunology. "10 Tips to Help You Master Your Telemedicine Visit: A Patient Guide." https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/10-tips-telemedicine.
- American Academy of Family Physicians. "Telemedicine." https://familydoctor.org/telemedicine/.
- American Heart Association. "COVID-19: Telehealth Tips for Heart Valve Patients." https://www.heart.org/-/media/files/health-topics/heart-valve-disease/telehealth-tips-for-heart-valve-patients.pdf?la=en.
- American Telemedicine Association. "Telehealth: Defining 21st Century Care." https://www.americantelemed.org/resource/why-telemedicine/.
- eVisit. "Telemedicine Visit: Technical Tips for a Successful Telemedicine Visit." https://evisit.com/resources/technical-tips-for-a-successful-telemedicine-visit.
- Federal Communications Commission. "Telehealth, Telemedicine, and Telecare: What's What?" https://www.fcc.gov/general/telehealth-telemedicine-and-telecare-whats-what.
Before you see a telemedicine specialist, you will need a referral from your primary care physician. Our telemedicine services are available to all patients, and we accept all insurances.
It can take up to two weeks to get an appointment time.
What to expect at your appointment
Telemedicine appointments happen in person at HGH. Rather than meeting at home with a doctor, you will come into our Rural Health Clinic, where you will meet with your specialist using specialized teleconferencing equipment. A trained medical assistant will accompany you to your exam room, check your vitals, and act as the specialist's "hands" if they need to examine you. In the case of behavioral health appointments, the assistant will leave the room so that you can talk confidentially with your doctor.
To schedule a telemedicine appointment or learn more about telemedicine services at HGH, talk with your primary care physician.