Preparing for your virtual appointment

Here are some tips for how to prepare for your virtual appointment. This will help your appointment go as smoothly as possible. Your clinician may also ask you to prepare extra information before your appointment.

Confirm the timing of your virtual appointment:

• By accepting a virtual visit, you express your consent to receive virtual care services.
• Check any emails from your healthcare team. There may be updates or helpful tips for your appointment.
• Share your appointment details with a family member or caregiver that will join you for your appointment. Your family member or caregiver can also help set up your device.
• It is important that you join 15 minutes before your appointment and 30 minutes after your appointment start time. Your clinician may be running late. 

Locate the meeting link and choose your web browser:  

• The link can be found in the body of the calendar invite you received from your MGH Health Care team. 
• It will say “Join the meeting now”  

Set up the technology you need for your virtual appointment:

• Test your camera and microphone to make sure they are working.
• Please test the video connection as soon as possible.
• Set your camera so you are in the middle of the screen.
• Charge the device you will be using for your appointment.
• Close any programs you don’t need for your appointment.
• Be aware your clinician may call from an unknown or blocked phone number. 

Choose where you will do your virtual appointment:

• Please ensure you are physically located in Ontario at the time of your virtual appointment.
• Find a private space with a secure internet connection. Be aware of what is around you and who may be able to overhear your appointment.
• Do not use a public internet connection. Examples are at the airport, internet café, public library, coffee shop, or other open area. Other people may be able to listen to your appointment without you knowing.
• Choose a space that has good lighting.
• Sit in front of a solid background, like a wall.
• Choose a space where there isn’t a lot of background noise or things that might distract you. 

Wear proper clothes for your virtual appointment:

• Wear clothes that you would wear to an in-person appointment. The clinician will be able to see you.
• Wear clothes that will allow you to easily show the clinician visible symptoms. Examples are wounds, rashes, swelling, and other skin changes. 

Have these things ready for your virtual appointment:

• Your Ontario health card.
• Any personal healthcare aids you use. Examples are eyeglasses, hearing aids, and walking aids.
• A list of the medications you take or the actual bottles.
• Contact information for your family doctor and pharmacy. This includes the address, phone, and fax number. The clinician may need to contact the pharmacist.
• Pen and paper if you want to take notes.  

Important information

• Please contact the clinic you are seeing at Michael Garron Hospital if you need to reschedule/cancel your appointment. Please provide 48 hours notice. Call the main hospital at 416-461-8272 and ask for the clinic. 

If you have trouble connecting to the video call, please phone the clinic at the phone number above and be available by phone should the physician attempt to reach you.