Video Doctor Visit

What Is a Video Doctor Visit?

A video doctor visit is a real medical appointment conducted over a secure, encrypted video call instead of in person. You and a licensed Canadian doctor see and hear each other in real time through your phone, tablet, or laptop camera. The visit follows the same clinical structure as a clinic visit — your doctor takes a history, performs a visual assessment, makes a diagnosis where appropriate, and creates a treatment plan. Video visits are the standard format for virtual care in Canada because seeing a patient adds clinical information that a phone call cannot. Your doctor can observe your skin, your eyes, the way you breathe, swelling, posture, and how you appear overall. For most non-emergency concerns, this is enough information to diagnose and treat safely.

Technology Requirements — What You Need for the Call

You do not need anything fancy. Most patients use the phone already in their pocket. Here is what works well.

• A device with a camera and microphone — smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Smartphones are the most common choice because they are easy to move around to show your doctor a specific area.
• A reasonably modern web browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge updated within the last year or two. No special app download is required for most visits.
• An internet connection of at least 1.5 Mbps upload and download — most home Wi-Fi and modern mobile data (LTE or 5G) is more than enough. You can test your speed at fast.com in 30 seconds.
• A quiet, private space where you can speak openly — bedroom, parked car, home office, or any room with a closing door.
• Good lighting — face a window or lamp rather than having a bright light behind you, which puts your face in shadow.
• Headphones or earbuds (optional but helpful) — they improve audio clarity and add privacy if others are nearby.

How to Prepare So Your Visit Runs Smoothly

A few minutes of preparation makes a noticeable difference, especially for first-time patients.

• Have your contact details, medication list, and preferred pharmacy ready before the visit.
• Write down your symptoms — when they started, how they have changed, what makes them better or worse, and what you have tried. This is the single most useful thing you can do.
• List your current medications — include prescriptions, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements with doses.
• Photograph skin issues in good light — if you have a rash, mole, or wound to show the doctor, take clear close-up photos with your phone before the call. You can hold them up to the camera or upload them.
• Know your pharmacy — name, location, and ideally the phone number, so any prescription can be sent immediately.
• Pick your spot 10 minutes early — quiet room, good light, charged device, and Wi-Fi or strong cell signal. Run a quick camera check.
• Have a notepad ready — to write down dosing instructions, follow-up steps, and any specialist names mentioned.

Troubleshooting Common Video Visit Problems

Almost every issue patients run into has a quick fix.

• Doctor cannot see you — check your browser has camera permission. On i Phone, this is in Settings > Safari > Camera. On Android, it appears as a popup the first time you open the link.
• Doctor cannot hear you — same idea, but for the microphone. Also check your phone is not on silent and your headphones are not still connected to a different device.
• Frozen or laggy video — close other apps and browser tabs, move closer to your Wi-Fi router, or switch to mobile data. The doctor can also continue by audio if video keeps dropping.
• Echo or feedback — wear headphones or move further from any other device that joined the call.
• Cannot find the link — check your spam folder and your text messages. The link comes from a TelePlus Care-verified sender.
• Running late — call our line and we can usually adjust your start time within the same window.