Establishing a Relationship with Your Telehealth Doctor

Setting patient expectations and communicating with a telehealth doctor are critical to the success of the patient-physician relationship. Experts recommend explaining to patients the difference between a traditional doctor-patient visit and a telehealth visit and reassuring them of the quality of care.

A strong physician-patient relationship depends on open communication, active engagement, and responsiveness to patient needs and concerns.

Creating a relationship with a telehealth doctor

Creating a relationship with a telehealth doctor can be difficult but following a few key telehealth best practices can help strengthen the relationship you have with your telehealth physician. As with any relationship, physical cues play a role in a patient’s perception of engagement and satisfaction with their visit. In New York, the state law allows physician-patient relationships through telehealth.

Breaking bad news may involve breaking difficult news through telehealth. End-of-life conversations are typically done through face-to-face interactions. In telehealth, however, this conversation may be necessary. There are several frameworks for dealing with bad news, including the acronym PREPARED. Using a framework for these conversations is particularly helpful. This framework enables patients and doctors to communicate the severity and nature of a patient’s condition, while still maintaining confidentiality.

Building a relationship with a telehealth physician requires patience. Establishing a rapport with your telehealth doctor will increase your chances of receiving the care you need. It is not always possible to touch or see the patient face-to-face, but this interaction can help improve the quality of care. A patient-telehealth relationship is essential to improving the quality of care and fostering a positive experience for both parties.

Communicating with a telehealth doctor

Whether it’s over video chat or live video call, communication between patient and physician is essential. Research has shown that patients and doctors can form close bonds through effective communication, regardless of location or cultural background. The current healthcare climate is challenging enough without the added worry of a pandemic or other crisis.

However, telehealth consultations must take the same care as an in-person visit. There are certain tips to help you communicate effectively.

First, remember that most telehealth appointments are short, and a longer time will result in a lower likelihood of missed appointments. To make the most of your telehealth visit, set a time limit and stick to it. It’s important to be as informed as possible, and the doctor can send you reminders or updates in real time. By doing so, both of you will be more likely to remember your next appointment and get the care you need.

Creating trust in a virtual setting

There are four elements to establishing trust with a patient, and these elements can be more challenging in a virtual setting. To create trust, telehealth providers must integrate all four elements into every visit. For patients, this will lead to more confidence, which will improve their experience. Below are a few tips for telehealth physicians. Hopefully, you can create a similar environment for your patients.

The most common reasons for patients to have problems with telehealth appointments include the difficulty of scheduling the appointment or using technology during the appointment. However, some telehealth providers are addressing these concerns by adjusting their practice models to match physician preferences.

Using digital-first solutions can increase the reach of in-person physicians and telehealth providers alike. The key is to create an environment in which patients feel comfortable and safe with both types of interactions.

Developing a physician-patient relationship

Developing a physician-patient relationship with a telehealth general practitioner is important for the quality of health care. As with any other relationship, both patients and doctors must respect each other’s boundaries. The doctor-patient relationship requires both verbal and nonverbal communication.

Patients should feel comfortable communicating with their telehealth physician and understand their concerns and expectations. This can be accomplished through the use of patient-centered telehealth tools that promote patient wellbeing.

A telephone visit presents a variety of challenges for physicians and patients. Because there are no visual cues, communication is more difficult. Misunderstandings are easy to develop, especially when people cannot see each other. On an audio conference call, for example, someone on the other end of the line might assume the other person on the call was being rude if a patient asked a stupid question or talked too long.

If the patient was on the other end of the line, they would assume that their telehealth provider was rude or would not care about their health, and if they thought you were a rude person because you paused for a moment before speaking, that would not be helpful. Negative assumptions can be devastating depending on the context.