How to Prepare for a Telehealth Visit: A Guide for Patients & Clinics

Telehealth has evolved from a nice-to-have to an essential part of modern care. Patients can now connect with their doctors from home, at work, or on the go. But while telehealth offers flexibility, it also needs preparation to ensure smooth visits.

Many patients—and even clinics—underestimate what’s needed before a telehealth appointment. From testing your camera to submitting digital forms, a few small steps make an impact. Sometimes, they're the difference between a frustrating experience and a seamless one.

Likewise, clinics that guide patients through proper telehealth preparation are more efficient. They're able to reduce last-minute technical issues, delays, and incomplete consultations.

This guide breaks down exactly how to prepare for a telehealth visit. You’ll learn what patients should do before logging in. You'll also discover:

• How clinics can support them with reminders and forms.
• Which common pitfalls in telehealth to avoid.
• How Curogram’s HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform eliminates the guesswork.

Do you want to offer the best virtual consultation possible for your patients? Keep reading.

Why Preparation Matters for Telehealth Visits

There's a difference between telemedicine and telehealth, which we covered in our detailed guide. If you're a pati

Common Issues Without Preparation

When patients join a telehealth appointment without preparation, several issues often arise. Poor internet connections cause dropped calls or frozen video. Missing medical information leads to incomplete assessments. Delays in logging into unfamiliar apps cut into valuable consultation time. These interruptions not only frustrate patients but also limit providers’ ability to deliver effective care.

Benefits of Being Prepared

Proper telehealth preparation ensures smooth communication and better clinical outcomes. Patients who complete intake forms in advance provide more accurate information, enabling faster and more informed decision-making. Testing devices ahead of time prevents distractions during the visit. A well-lit, private space allows the provider to observe symptoms clearly and maintain confidentiality. For clinics, preparation reduces scheduling backlogs, improves patient satisfaction, and strengthens trust in virtual care.

In short, preparation transforms telehealth from a convenient tool into a dependable extension of in-person care. Following a structured telehealth preparation checklist helps both patients and clinics avoid last-minute chaos and ensure high-quality virtual appointments.

Steps for Patients: How to Prepare for a Telehealth Visit

Step 1: Check Your Technology

Ensure your device’s camera, microphone, and internet connection are working properly. Test your setup in advance to confirm video and sound quality. A stable internet speed of at least 5 Mbps supports a clear, uninterrupted telemedicine visit.

Step 2: Access the Telehealth Platform

Use the official link sent by your provider. Many platforms like Curogram require no downloads—simply click and join securely from your browser or smartphone. Bookmark the link or save the text reminder to avoid scrambling at appointment time.

Step 3: Complete Intake Forms in Advance

Before your visit, fill out all digital intake forms provided by your clinic. Include your medical history, medications, allergies, insurance details, and consent forms. Submitting this information early helps your doctor prepare and keeps the appointment focused on your needs.

Step 4: Gather Relevant Information

Write down your symptoms, track recent health changes, and list medications or supplements you’re taking. Having this data ready ensures your provider can make informed recommendations.

Step 5: Choose a Quiet, Well-Lit Space

Pick a private area with minimal background noise and good lighting. This helps your provider see and hear you clearly, improving communication during the session.

Step 6: Prepare Questions for Your Provider

Think ahead about what you’d like to discuss. Whether it’s side effects, next steps, or lab results, a short list keeps the appointment organized and productive.

Steps for Clinics: How to Help Patients Prepare

Step 1: Send Automated Appointment Reminders with Instructions

One of the best ways clinics can prepare patients is by automating reminders. Text or email reminders that include platform links, device setup tips, and pre-visit instructions dramatically reduce missed or delayed telehealth sessions. Automated systems like Curogram can send these reminders securely and at set intervals, ensuring patients stay informed without manual staff follow-ups.

Step 2: Provide Easy Access to Digital Intake Forms

Clinics should ensure patients can complete intake forms online—preferably via HIPAA-compliant systems. Digital forms streamline check-ins, eliminate paper handling, and automatically sync with electronic medical records (EMRs) such as eClinicalWorks (eCW). This step not only enhances efficiency but also prevents clerical errors that often occur when staff transcribe data manually.

Step 3: Offer Tech Support or a Test Call Option

Patients who are new to telemedicine may feel anxious about using virtual tools. Providing a quick test call or a short tech-support hotline helps them feel comfortable before their actual appointment. Even a one-minute connection check can prevent major disruptions later on.

Step 4: Educate Patients on Telehealth Etiquette

Clinics should share simple guidelines: join on time, dress appropriately, ensure privacy, and avoid multitasking during the visit. Educating patients about proper telehealth etiquette sets expectations for a professional, focused experience—mirroring an in-person appointment.

Step 5: Ensure Providers Are Prepared Too

Preparation doesn’t stop with patients. Providers should review submitted forms, confirm connectivity, and test their audio and video equipment before sessions begin. Having patient data readily available within the telehealth platform minimizes time spent searching records mid-visit and maximizes time for care delivery.

By adopting these strategies, clinics can help patients feel supported and confident while improving overall workflow efficiency. The result is a consistent, high-quality telemedicine experience that benefits everyone involved.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Telehealth Visits

Relying on Non-Compliant Platforms

Popular tools like FaceTime or basic Zoom are not inherently HIPAA compliant. Using them without proper safeguards risks exposing protected health information (PHI). Always use secure, healthcare-grade telehealth platforms that offer encryption, audit logs, and BAAs to meet HIPAA standards.

Not Testing Technology Beforehand

Many technical issues occur because patients and providers skip pre-visit checks. Testing the camera, microphone, and browser compatibility ensures the session runs smoothly. Both parties should test their systems at least a few hours before the appointment.

Forgetting to Capture Patient Consent

Patient consent is legally required for telehealth. Clinics must ensure patients review and sign telemedicine consent forms before the visit begins. Using digital consent forms integrated into the telehealth platform simplifies this process and maintains proper documentation.

Transforming Your Telehealth Preparation

Curogram makes telehealth preparation effortless for patients and providers alike. Patients receive secure links via text or email—no downloads, passwords, or complicated setup required. This simple access method eliminates the most common barriers to virtual care: lost links, login errors, and poor tech literacy.

For clinics, Curogram automates everything from appointment reminders to intake forms and consent collection. Its HIPAA-compliant infrastructure ensures all communications remain secure and fully auditable. Providers can launch video visits directly from within eCW, view completed forms in real time, and document encounters without switching systems.

With Curogram, telehealth becomes more than just a convenience—it becomes a dependable extension of in-person care. Clinics reduce no-shows, improve efficiency, and deliver a consistent experience across every virtual touchpoint. Patients feel more confident, prepared, and cared for, making every appointment count.

Conclusion

Preparation is the foundation of every successful telehealth visit. For patients, that means checking technology, completing forms, and finding a quiet space. For clinics, it involves guiding patients with reminders, resources, and secure, compliant tools.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, both parties can benefit immensely. Patients and staff enjoy smoother, more productive telemedicine visits. Avoiding pitfalls like untested technology or missing consent ensures every session is effective.

Ready to make virtual visits effortless? Discover how Curogram automates telehealth preparation. Enjoy built-in HIPAA-compliant messaging, reminders, and video consultations that integrate seamlessly with eCW.

Get a quick demo today and experience stress-free telehealth that works for everyone.

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