Appointment Types

There are two types of Telehealth appointments - telephone or video. Below is more information about each type.

For more information about Telehealth, please visit the Health Navigator Telehealth or the New Zealand Telehealth Resource Centre sites.

Telephone Appointments

What you will need for a telephone appointment

A mobile phone or landline.

It is best if you have a hands-free device. If you have a smartphone, find a way to prop it up so you can move about.
Find a quiet space where you won't be disturbed during your appointment.
Things to prepare for the appointment:
  • A pen and paper to note things down during your appointment.
  • A prescription card, a list of any medications or your medications in their packaging.
  • A list of questions or issues to help you get the most from your appointment.
  • A support person. You are welcome to have a family member/whānau or friend with you during the call. Just remember to tell the clinician who is with you when you start your appointment.

    • You may be asked to confirm your identity

    • If another person is with you, introduce them to the clinician

    • When you are ready you can talk to your clinician about your health

    • You may receive important information like changes to your medication

    • You can ask the clinician to repeat information to confirm you both have it correctly

    • If something goes wrong with the call, we will call you back

    • After the clinician has finished talking with you, they’ll arrange things like letters, tests and other appointments if needed

    • We will say "goodbye" before we go

  • Download our handy guide that has more information about telephone appointments.

Video Appointments

What you will need for a video appointment

A charged up computer, tablet or smartphone with built in camera and microphone.
A good internet connection.
You can use data but Wi-Fi offers a better experience.
Find a quiet, well-lit space where you won't be disturbed during your appointment.
Join your Telehealth appointment with any of the following browsers - Chrome, Firefox or Safari. For smart devices, we recommend that you can download and install the zoom app before your appointment.
Things to prepare for the appointment:
  • A pen and paper to note things down during your appointment.
  • A prescription card, a list of any medications or your medications in their packaging.
  • A list of questions or issues to help you get the most from your appointment.
  • A support person. You are welcome to have a family member/whānau or friend with you during the call. Just remember to tell the clinician who is with you when you start your appointment.

    • 5-10 minutes before your appointment, find and open your video appointment email or text message.

    • If you would like to test your internet connection and setup using Zoom.

    • At the time of your video appointment click Join your video call appointment via Zoom link. The Zoom software will automatically start. Please remember to select Join with video and Join with audio. If joining from an iPad or similar device select Call using internet audio or Call using device audio.

    • Once joined, you should be in the video waiting room ready to start your appointment

    • Your doctor, nurse or healthcare professional will join your video call when they are ready

    • Say "hello" and wave when connected

    • You may be asked to confirm your identity

    • If another person is with you, introduce them to the clinician

    • When you are ready you can talk to your clinician about your health

    • If you want to show the clinician something, you can try to use the screen camera

    • You may receive important information like changes to your medication

    • You can ask the clinician to repeat information to confirm you both have it correctly

    • If something goes wrong with the call, we will call you back by Zoom or telephone

    • After the clinician has finished talking with you, they will arrange things like letters, tests and other appointments if needed

    • We will say "goodbye" before we go

    If all goes well, the call will feel like a face-to-face appointment

  • Download our handy guide that has for more information about video appointments.

Troubleshooting

There are some common technical issues that may be experienced during a video call. Here are some tips to help.

For more information about Telehealth, please visit the Health Navigator Telehealth or the New Zealand Telehealth Resource Centre sites.