How to Prepare for a Telehealth Consultation: A Practical Checklist

A telehealth consultation goes more smoothly when you’re prepared. Before your appointment, have your Medicare card, a list of your medicines and a short summary of your symptoms ready, find a quiet private spot, and check that your phone or device is charged with a good connection. If you have a rash or other visible problem, take clear photos in advance.

Here’s what to have ready, how to set up and what to expect.

Before your appointment: what to have ready

Your details

• Your Medicare card (and your individual reference number), or private health or overseas insurance details if you have them
• Any concession card
• The name of your usual GP, if you have one, so information can be shared with your consent

A list of your medicines

Write down everything you take, including:

• prescription medicines, with the dose and how often you take them
• over-the-counter medicines, such as pain relief or antihistamines
• vitamins, supplements and herbal or complementary medicines
• any allergies or past reactions to medicines

Having the boxes or bottles next to you also works. Supplements and herbal products can interact with prescription medicines, so it’s important to include them. Our article on complementary medicines in Australia explains why.

Your symptoms and questions

Jot down a few notes so you don’t forget anything:

• what the main problem is and when it started
• whether it’s getting better, worse or staying the same
• what makes it better or worse, and what you’ve already tried
• relevant measurements if you have them, such as your temperature or a home blood pressure reading
• the questions you want answered

healthdirect has a helpful list of questions to ask your doctor.

Test results and letters

If you’ve had recent blood tests, scans or specialist letters relevant to the problem, have them handy. You may be able to see some results in your My Health Record or patient app.

Taking photos for your doctor

For skin problems, rashes, wounds, eye redness or swelling, a good photo can be more useful than a video call. Tips:

• Use natural daylight, or a bright room without harsh shadows.
• Take one close-up and one from further away to show where it is on your body.
• Put a coin or ruler next to the area to show size.
• Make sure the image is in focus.

Your doctor will tell you how to share images securely. Don’t send intimate photos unless your doctor specifically asks for them and explains how they’ll be handled. For sexual health concerns, a description is usually enough.

Privacy: find a space where you can talk

Choose somewhere quiet where you won’t be overheard, such as a closed room or your parked car. You may need to describe personal symptoms, so think about who else is home. If you can’t speak privately, let the doctor know at the start. Headphones help on video calls.

If you’d like a family member or carer to join you, that’s fine. Tell the doctor who’s with you. You can also ask to speak with the doctor on your own for part of the consultation, and teenagers may be offered some time alone with the doctor.

Getting a good connection

• Charge your phone or device, or keep it plugged in.
• For video, check your camera and microphone work, and close other apps that use data.
• Sit close to your Wi-Fi router, or use mobile data if your Wi-Fi is patchy.
• Face a window or light rather than sitting with it behind you, so the doctor can see you clearly.
• Make sure your phone isn’t on silent and can receive calls from unknown or private numbers, as the doctor may call from a blocked number.
• If the call drops, stay near your phone. The doctor will usually try again.

During the consultation

Start with your main concern and be as specific as you can. GPs talk about personal health problems every day, so there’s no need to be embarrassed. If you don’t understand something, ask the doctor to explain it again.

Before you finish, check that you know:

• what the likely problem is and what to do next
• how to get any prescription, certificate or referral
• when and how to follow up
• what to do if things get worse

After your appointment

If you’re prescribed a medicine, your eScript arrives as a text message or email with a token you can take to any pharmacy. Referrals and medical certificates are usually emailed. If you need blood tests or imaging, take the request form to a pathology or radiology provider. If your symptoms don’t improve as expected, book a follow-up.

When telehealth isn’t the right choice

Telehealth suits many common problems, but not emergencies or problems that need a hands-on examination. Our article What telehealth can and can’t do explains when to see a GP in person, and Common conditions telehealth can help with covers specific conditions.

Call 000 or go to an emergency department if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke, severe bleeding, a severe allergic reaction, or feel you’re in danger.

Booking with Teldoc

Teldoc’s AHPRA-registered GPs consult by phone or video, Australia-wide, 7 days a week from 9 am to 7 pm (Sydney time), and most patients are seen within 15 minutes. You can book through our general health telehealth service. General consultations are $55 on weekdays and $75 on weekends and public holidays, with no Medicare rebate. Some consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients. See our fees page and FAQs for more.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a video call, or is a phone call enough?

Many problems can be managed by phone. Video helps when the doctor needs to see something, such as a rash or swelling. Your doctor will let you know if they’d like to switch to video or need photos.

What should I have ready for a telehealth appointment?

Have your Medicare card, a list of all your medicines including supplements, any allergies, notes on your symptoms and questions, and any relevant test results. Find a private space and make sure your device is charged.

How do I send photos to a telehealth doctor?

Your doctor will explain the secure way to share images for their service. Take clear photos in good light, with a close-up and a wider shot, before your appointment.

Can someone else join my telehealth consultation?

Yes. A family member, carer or interpreter can join if you’d like them to. Let the doctor know who is with you at the start.

This article is general health information and isn’t a substitute for advice from your own doctor. If you’re worried about your health, speak to a GP. In an emergency, call 000.

Medically reviewed by Dr Vafa Derakshan (MBBS, FRACGP), September 2026