First it is important to understand, what is a video visit? In a video visit, you will talk face-to-face with your health care team, just like you do on a regular, in-person visit. The big difference with a video visit is that you will do it using your computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Before your video visit, it is important to pick the right space. Look for these four things in a good space. Number 1, use a space with good lighting, but do not have bright lights or windows behind you. Instead, sit or stand in front of a lamp our window so that the light shines on your face. This will make it easy to see you.
Number 2, make sure your space will be quiet for the whole visit. If you share a living space with others, this may be a bedroom or another room with a door. You can also use headphones to make it easier to hear your doctor or nurse.
Number 3, choose a space where you can move around safely. If an exam is needed, you might be asked to move around or lie down. Number 4, your space should be private, so you can talk about your private health care information, or show parts of your body if needed for the exam.
Once you have chosen a space, here are some important steps you should take to make the most of your video visit. Think about the questions you want to ask your health team, and write them down before your visit. Have all of your medications together before your visit. Your doctor or nurse may ask to confirm your medications.
This will also help remind you which medicines you need refilled. You can take your own vital signs before the visit if you have the tools you need. Vital signs can include your temperature, blood pressure, heart rate counted over 1 minute, your oxygen level, blood sugar, and body weight.
If you check things like your blood pressure or blood sugar levels on a regular basis, have your log and readings with you, including the dates and times of each reading. Have a small light nearby, such as a flashlight or phone light, to help examine parts of your body like your throat or eyes. If you have concerns about skin problems, such as a rash or wound, you can send a picture to your health care team with MyChart messaging before the visit. This may give them a better view of your skin than the video can.
Next we will discuss tips for just before and during your visit. Click on the Video Visit link 10 minutes before your appointment start time. This gives you time to open the video and make sure your camera and sound are working. You are also welcome to have someone you trust join you on your video visit. This can be done by sharing this same link with them.
Place your computer in a safe spot so it cannot get knocked over. This is very important if you have a child taking part in a pediatric visit. Shut down any other programs on the device you are using. Having extra programs open can slow down the speed and quality of your video.
If you are using a smartphone or tablet, prop it up on a stable surface, rather than holding it. You can then use both hands during the visit if needed. Have your list of questions, your medication bottles, and the refills you need, and some paper and pen to take notes all ready and within reach.
During the visit, speak clearly into your microphone. If someone else is joining your visit, make sure only one person is speaking at a time. Make sure you turn off the television and radio, and have everyone put their phones on silent so that there are no interruptions. Finally, have a backup plan in case you are disconnected. Give your health care team a phone number you can be reached at to do the visit over the phone in case you are having problems with the video.
When the visit is ending, your health team will talk to you about the next steps. This may include picking up medications from your pharmacy, getting tests done at a nearby lab, or making your next appointment. Make sure to say which pharmacy you use so a trip is not made to the wrong one. Call your pharmacy to be sure your prescription is ready for pickup before leaving your home, or ask for home delivery. Before the visit ends, ask your health care team how and when you need to follow up.
We are excited for you to take part in your video visit. This may be new for you, but your health care team will be there to answer any questions you have along the way.
Video Visit Frequently Asked Questions
Video visits are similar to in-office visits, but instead of traveling to see your doctor, you can video chat with them from home. Our care providers can assess your symptoms, make a diagnosis, recommend treatment and send prescriptions to your pharmacy.
Video visits are available for adults and for children of all ages, and are available to new patients in addition to those who already have a UChicago Medicine doctor.
Video Visit Resources
- Video Visit Checklist for Adult Patients
- Video Visit Checklist for Adult Patients (Spanish)
- Video Visit Checklist for Pediatric Patients
- Video Visit Checklist for Pediatric Patients (Spanish)
Current Patients
Log in to your MyChart account to choose from available times to book your virtual appointment instantly with a primary care or specialty care provider.
New Patients
Our real-time, online scheduling for video visits lets you choose from available times so you can book your virtual appointment instantly with a primary care or specialty care provider.
Your provider’s office will send you a link to a secure ExtendedCare Cloud video session through your MyChart account or to your email. If you do not have MyChart, please provide your email address to your provider. Ten minutes before your scheduled appointment time, please click on the link and wait for your provider to join the session.
During your visit:
- Place your computer in a safe spot so it cannot get knocked over. This is very important if you have a child taking part in a pediatric visit.
- Shut down any other programs on the device you are using to improve the speed and quality of your video visit.
- If you are using a smartphone, prop it up on a stable surface rather than holding it.
- Speak clearly into your microphone. If someone else is joining your visit, make sure only one person is speaking at a time. Turn off any background noise such as the television and radio, and have everyone put their phones on silent or vibrate.
- Give your doctor or nurse or healthcare team a phone number they can call to do the visit over the phone, in case you are having problems with the video.
Before your visit ends, make sure to:
- Ask your healthcare team when and how you should follow up. This may include picking up medications from your pharmacy, getting tests done at a nearby lab, or making your next appointment.
- Make sure to tell your doctor or nurse which pharmacy you use.
Before your visit you should do the following:
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Write down your questions before your visit.
- You can take your own vital signs before the visit if you have the tools you need. Vital signs can include your temperature, blood pressure, heart rate counted over one minute, your oxygen level, blood sugar, body weight and temperature. If you take your vital signs, write them down on a piece of paper so you can tell your doctor, nurse or healthcare team
-
If you check things like your blood pressure or blood sugar levels on a regular basis, have your log and readings with you, including the dates and times of each reading, so you can show those to your doctor.
-
Have a small light nearby (such as a flashlight or a phone light) to help your doctor examine parts of your body like your throat or eyes.
-
If you have concerns about skin problems, such as a rash or a wound, you can send a picture to your doctor or nurse or healthcare team with MyChart Messaging before the visit. This may give them a better view of your skin than the video can.
For your video visit, you'll need:
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A computer, tablet, or smartphone with an internet connection. If using a computer or tablet, have your phone with you in case your doctor needs to call you.
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A piece of paper and pen to write down your questions and take notes.
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Your medication bottles. Have them with you during your visit and note the ones that need refills.
Find a good space for your visit:
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Use an area with good lighting, but not one that has a window behind you.
-
Make sure your space will be quiet for the whole visit. You can also use headphones if you have trouble hearing your doctor or nurse or healthcare team.
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Choose a private space so you can talk with the doctor or nurse or healthcare team about your private healthcare information or show parts of your body, if needed for the exam.
Video Visit Resources
To schedule a video visit please call 1-888-824-0200.How to start a video visit on a laptop or desktop computer
- Ensure that your computer has a camera and speakers/microphone
- Click on the link from MyChart or from your email 10 minutes prior to the appointment (note: please use MyChart to correspond with us – our team may not be able to respond to email)
- Once you're in the meeting, ensure that video and audio are unmuted and wait for your provider to join.
Use this visual guide for step-by-step instructions.
To schedule a video visit please call 1-888-824-0200.How to start a video visit on a mobile device
- Download the ExtendedCare Cloud App (Apple or Android)
- Allow Audio and Video
- Click on the link from MyChart or from your email 10 minutes prior to the appointment (note: please use MyChart to correspond with us – our team may not be able to respond to email)
- Once you're in the meeting, ensure that video and audio are unmuted and wait for your provider to join.
Use this visual guide for step-by-step instructions.
To schedule a video visit please call 1-888-824-0200.Supported devices include:
- iOS Devices (iPhone or iPad) – Download the ExtendedCare Cloud app from the Apple App Store
- Android Devices (Phone or tablet) – Download the ExtendedCare Cloud app from the Google Play Store
- Laptop or desktop with a microphone and web camera
For a successful visit, you must have an 4G LTE or 5G Mobile internet or Wi-Fi connection and be in a private, well-lit room. Visits will not function without a strong signal.
To schedule a video visit please call 1-888-824-0200.During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health emergency, UChicago Medicine is offering video and other virtual visits for your convenience and to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 by limiting in-person appointments.
A link and instructions for the video visit will be provided to you via MyChart or via email. At the time of your appointment, you will open an application on your smartphone, tablet or computer that has internet access and a camera. A staff member from UChicago Medicine will also open the application, and you’ll be able to talk and see each other. Your provider will join shortly after to conduct the video visit.
You will be asked to verify your name, date of birth, and location for your provider. You will also be asked by your provider to verbally consent to the video visit.
Please make sure that you are located in a private, secure, and uninterrupted environment during the video visit.
If the patient is a minor under the age of 18, or unable to provide consent himself/herself, consent must be obtained from the patient's parent or other authorized representative. The parent or other authorized representative may need to remain with the patient throughout the video visit or be present for key portions of the visit.
Despite the benefits of the video visit, you should understand that there are potential risks to conducting video visits.
Video visits are not designed, intended or appropriate to address emergency or life threatening medical conditions and should not be used in those circumstances. For medical emergencies, call 911 or contact your nearest emergency room. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, it is important to call ahead before seeking in-person medical care to receive instructions for how to best protect yourself and others.
Virtual care services, such as video visits, are limited in nature. Not all medical services may be provided virtually. It is possible that your provider will determine not to give a diagnosis or treatment, or not to proceed with the video visit, and instead, may recommend that you schedule an in-person visit. You may also decide to end the video visit at any point and contact your provider’s office to schedule an in-person visit.
Because you and your provider will be in separate locations, it is especially important that you fully describe for your provider your medical history, conditions, and symptoms. Your provider will enter information from your video visit in your medical record.
Since technology is being used to conduct the visit, there is always the risk of interruptions, unauthorized access, technical difficulties, and call termination. In the event of unexpected technical difficulties, the video visit may end unexpectedly and the examination/encounter may remain incomplete. If that happens, you should contact your provider’s office to reschedule the video visit or convert it to a telephone visit. Alternatively, you may call to schedule an in-person visit.
You are responsible for scheduling or seeking any follow-up care recommended by your provider.
UChicago Medicine will bill your insurance for the cost of your video visit. If your insurance does not pay the full amount due, you may be responsible for the balance, including any copays or deductible. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for financial assistance. Please contact the Hospital Finance Assistance Representative at 773-702-6664.
UChicago Medicine video visits are provided through ExtendedCare, a HIPAA-compliant telehealth application.UChicago Medicine cannot ensure the privacy or security of other video applications used. The use of other applications for this video visit is subject to the terms and conditions of that application. You may access our Notice of Privacy Practices for more information regarding our use of your medical or health information.
By commencing a video visit, you consent to assessment and/or treatment by UChicago Medicine via video visit.