Preparing for a successful telehealth appointment

Going to the doctor to discuss something as personal as erectile dysfunction may be one of the hardest things a man can do. For some men, the very idea of spending the better part of an afternoon in a waiting room full of other men (all with potentially the same problem!) is enough to make them delay seeking care for months or even years. As a specialist who has dedicated his career to curing men of their ED, this is an all-too-common story that I’ve heard from my patients time and time again.

But fortunately, men may finally have a better option.

Nothing about COVID-19 has been easy. But with nationwide stay-at-home orders and new social distancing guidelines, many men have found a silver lining with the advent of telehealth and telemedicine. For the first time, men can seek out expert consultation for their erectile dysfunction in the comfort and safety of their own home.

But what is telehealth and how is it different from a regular doctor’s visit? How can it make things easier for men seeking expert insight into their personal health concerns?

Telehealth, also known as telemedicine, is the use of technology to allow patients and their physician to have a video consultation from virtually anywhere. This can allow any man or couple, including those who would typically be too intimidated to visit a doctor’s office in-person, to seek care for their erectile dysfunction easily and safely.

I typically tell my patients to prepare for their visit much like they would for a regular office visit. Bring a pen and paper, write down your questions ahead of time, and set aside plenty of time so you don’t feel rushed.

Some other practical tips include picking a well-lit space such as a living room. I also recommend placing your device on a table in front of you. If using a phone or tablet, prop it up with some books so your hands are free. This is much more natural and comfortable than looking down at your phone in your hand. Pick a quiet and private location where you can speak freely. Make sure to test your wireless signal in this spot ahead of time. Many offices offer you the chance to test out their telehealth chat before your appointment. Take advantage of this so your visit can be as smooth as possible.

During your visit, your doctor will take a detailed history about your erectile dysfunction. When I first meet my patients, I ask them to tell me their story. How long have they been struggling with ED? What have they tried so far? What would their perfect solution look like? The better I’m able to understand who my patients are and what’s important to them, the better I’m able to connect them with the lasting ED cure that’s right for them.

The best way to learn if your physician is offering telehealth appointments is to call and ask! Even if your closest expert is some distance away, they may be able to meet with you via telehealth so you can spend more time getting treated and less time on the road.

Personally, telehealth has allowed me to chat with a number of out-of-state patients who are looking to learn more about what it’s like to receive a penile implant from a center of excellence. Through telehealth, I’ve been able to answer their questions and help coordinate their care long before they make the commitment to travel to Indianapolis.

Although the penile implant still requires an in-person examination prior to placement, patients should be reassured that almost all other ED treatments can be prescribed via telehealth.

The best way to learn if your physician is offering telehealth appointments is to call and ask! Even if your closest expert is some distance away, they may be able to meet with you via telehealth so you can spend more time getting treated and less time on the road.

Mail order men’s services are intrinsically different from a telehealth visit with a urologist who has specialty training in erectile dysfunction. These for-profit companies suffer from a “hammer-and-nail” approach where all they offer is oral medication from their own supply at an inflated price. By seeking treatment from an erectile dysfunction expert, men can keep all their options open and have confidence knowing that they’re receiving the best care possible.

If you’re a man struggling with erectile dysfunction, there is no better time to put your erectile dysfunction in the rearview mirror and find your ED cure! Find a specialist in your area using the search tool above and make your telehealth appointment today.

This physician is a Boston Scientific consultant but was not compensated for the creation of this article.