For many chronic kidney disease patients, non-emergency telehealth visits are a new tool to supplement in-office appointments. Telehealth is a great way to connect with your doctor from home and avoid COVID-19 exposure. Whether you’re scheduled for a virtual visit with your Nephrology Associates of Greater Cincinnati care team or another physician, here are a few tech tips to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Find an ideal location

The best place to do your telehealth visit is a quiet room with good lighting. If you can, avoid positioning your back to a window, since this can darken your image on video.

Use a wired connection

If you’re able, use a hardwire internet connection for the appointment. A hardwired connection is more reliable and more secure than wifi. You’ll need a modem, ethernet switch, and ethernet cables for this setup.

Power your device

Keep your phone or computer plugged in to a power source during the visit to ensure the battery doesn’t completely drain during your telehealth visit.

Position the camera at eye level

Setting your device’s camera at eye level mimics the dynamics of in-person conversation and makes it easier to stay engaged for the duration of the appointment.

Test your equipment

Before the virtual visit begins, make sure the volume is turned up so you can hear, your camera is working properly, and your microphone clearly picks up your voice. You might even try a test call with a friend or family member to double check that everything is in order.

Mind the mute button

Some video chat platforms open with mute automatically enabled. Make sure your sound is on at the beginning of the visit so the doctor can hear you!

After your telehealth appointment, your doctor may ask you to come in for an in-person visit to better address your concerns. Medical facilities have stringent cleaning and safety protocols to minimize your risk of exposure to the virus while allowing you to get the care you need.