Communication and Information Sharing

Contacting healthcare providers

Infographic of a doctor talking to their patient. There are 4 bubbles branching off the main image of the doctor and their patient which describe the means of contacting a healthcare provider. These include speaking in person, through telephone, by email, and virtually.

There are many ways to connect with healthcare providers including:

  • In-person appointments
  • Virtually using video-based platforms (e.g. Zoom, Webex, and Microsoft Teams)
  • Telephone
  • Email

If you would like your healthcare provider to share some of your medical information with you, there may be additional options, including online patient portals or printouts.

When thinking about what type of appointment is best for you, you may want to consider:

  • What you need from the appointment (e.g. questions answered, medication change, medication renewal When you need your medications prescribed again by your doctor to you can keep taking your medications as needed. , etc.)
  • If you have a preferred type of appointment (e.g. in-person, phone, virtual)
  • If the virtual platform is accessible and free for you to use

Still unsure? Ask your healthcare provider about what type of appointment they would recommend based on your needs.

References