The Professional Edition 1 October 2020 | Page 30

need to provide to the doctor on hand e . g . if you were asked to track symptoms or readings such as blood pressure , blood sugar etc .
• Take photos related to your condition such as a skin lesion .
• Have a list of the medication and dosage that you are currently taking and any other information such as side-effects .
• This is a private appointment . Choose a quiet room where you will not be disturbed .
• Make sure that you have a clear on-screen image and that it is not distorted by light .
• You will need a working web camera or built-in camera and reliable microphone and speakers . Test these before your consultation .
• Make sure you have enough data for the video call and that your computer battery is fully charged or connected to a power outlet .
• Set a reminder to notify you that your consultation is about to commence and connect five minutes earlier .
• Dress appropriately as the healthcare professional will see you on video .
The HPCSA has provided guidelines for consulting and servicing healthcare practitioners on telehealth .
Most importantly , practitioners must be registered either with the HPCSA if the practice is in South Africa or an equivalent regulatory body in the country where the servicing healthcare practitioner is based ( if outside South Africa ).
30