Find a route to care

When does an in-person visit fit?

Think about what you want to discuss and what the doctor or other health professional needs to check.

An empty seating alcove with a frosted partition, a low bench, and a view of a leafy courtyard. — An empty seating area. Ask where your examination would happen.

Ask what needs to happen in the room

Medical-board guidance covers problems needing a physical exam or more tests. The doctor is asked to arrange that care or send the patient to another person who can provide it.

At an in-person visit, you share a room with the doctor or other health professional. You can bring written questions and ask for time to discuss them.

Ask which parts of an assessment can happen online and which parts need a visit elsewhere.

Compare the whole care plan

Ask how test results will reach the doctor or other health professional. Ask who handles follow-up if you use a different service for an examination.

For an online route, include travel or local testing in your comparison. For an in-person route, include return visits.

Use the same questions for each service. Keep the replies side by side.

Close the chapter

Keep this in view

Choose a visit format after asking what the assessment needs and how the pieces connect.