Telemedicine is conducted in a number of ways, the two most common being patient portals and virtual appointments. Patient portals allow patients to access their medical records remotely, communicate with the healthcare providers via text or email, request refills and more. These days, most healthcare providers offer a patient portal, whether you visit in-person or online.

Virtual appointments are held via phone call or video conference, allowing you to speak directly to your doctor. Most countries require that healthcare providers use a secured HIPAA-compliant video conference tool. Occasionally, providers may utilize portable telemedicine kits that include computers and mobile medical devices, such as ECGs or vital signs monitors. These kits allow patients to monitor their vitals and share the results with their providers from the comfort of their own homes.