How does telemedicine consultation work?

You book a time, confirm your contact details and join through the service’s link or answer a call. The clinician asks about your symptoms, when they began, relevant conditions, medicines and allergies. They may ask you to show a visible skin change, measure temperature or blood pressure if you have equipment, or describe what they see and feel.

The clinician can explain self-care, prescribe or adjust treatment when appropriate, arrange testing, provide a referral or recommend an in-person GP consultation. Some problems, including a suspected urinary tract infection or persistent symptoms of COVID-19, influenza or migraine, may need examination or tests that cannot be completed remotely.

Choose a quiet, private place with a reliable connection and good lighting. Keep your medicines, allergies, recent readings and a short symptom timeline nearby. Write down your main concern and any questions. If video fails, follow the service’s call-back instructions rather than repeatedly joining new sessions.

Seek urgent in-person care for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, sudden weakness, new confusion, a severe allergic reaction or inability to keep fluids down. For a child or adult who looks seriously unwell, use emergency services. A video appointment should not delay assessment of a rapidly worsening illness.

Ask what can be assessed remotely, whether you need an examination or test, how soon you should expect improvement and which changes require review. If a prescription is discussed, confirm the dose, duration and what to do if symptoms continue.