Using Telemedicine to Connect to Your Johns Hopkins Doctor and Care Provider
Patients with a MyChart account or new patients can participate in a live-video appointment, called a video visit, with their Johns Hopkins outpatient primary or specialty care provider. Video visits allow patients to connect face-to-face in real time without leaving their home. Patients can use a smartphone, tablet or computer. If you do not have a device to use for a video visit, you and your provider may decide that a telephone call will meet your needs.
MyChart virtual video visits are secure and HIPAA compliant. Professional world language or sign language interpreters and other accommodations are available to join a telemedicine video or phone visit.
In this section:
- Welcome to Video Visits: A Guide for Patients (Video)
- Tools You'll Need
- Tips for a Successful Video Visit
- FAQs- Frequently Asked Questions
Tools You'll Need
- MyChart Account (If you do not have a MyChart account, you can request one by filling out our online form.)
- Smartphone, Tablet or Laptop with Webcam with internet or strong wifi signal
- Speakers or Headphones
Tips for a Successful Video Visit
-
Log in 15 minutes before your appointment time.
To answer all check-in questions before your appointment begins. This ensures you get the focused attention that you need, and other patients aren’t kept waiting.
-
Conduct the video visit in a well-lit room so your provider can see you.
Bright light, such as from a window, should be in front of you, not behind you, so your doctor can see you clearly.
-
Make sure the space is private, so you can discuss personal medical information.
Avoid distractions: Turn off devices not needed for the appointment, especially things that make noise. Choose a location away from pets and other people who will not be included in your visit.
-
Dress in a way that you are comfortable being seen by your provider.
Wear clothes that let you stand, sit, and walk, if these actions might be part of your exam.
-
Write down any questions for your provider before the visit.
Have a paper and pen ready to take notes.
-
Mobile device and computer browser recommendations:
If you are using a mobile device, we recommend Chrome or Safari. Internet Explorer will not work. If you are using a laptop or desktop, we recommend testing using Chrome. Apple/MAC users should use Safari.
-
For Pediatric Visits
For patients younger than 13, both the child and parent/guardian should be present for the video visit. For patients 13-17 years of age, the teen patient should generally be with their parent/guardian for their virtual visit except when receiving legally protected confidential care (e.g. mental health, reproductive health, or substance abuse related care) in which case they can be seen without a parent/guardian.
-
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Both Johns Hopkins providers and patients can request a video visit. Call your provider’s office or send a message through MyChart to ask your provider if a video visit is appropriate for your care needs.
-
- Complete the e-check-in process through MyChart. (E-check-in is available starting seven days before your video visit.)
- Click the link found in the e-check-in process.
- Click on “Start your video visit.”
- Wait for a medical office assistant or your provider to join you in the video visit session.
-
Patients can invite loved ones to participate in the video visit. Click on the “Share your video visit” button during the appointment check-in process, and email the shared URL.
-
Due to individual state regulations, Johns Hopkins Medicine may not be able to conduct a telemedicine visit with patients who live in a state other than the state where your provider’s office is located. Please ask your provider if you can be seen via telemedicine before you schedule a video visit.
-
Most Johns Hopkins Medicine providers are able to support video visits. Contact your provider to see if a video visit is appropriate for you.
-
Yes, we value our diverse patient population, and pride ourselves on the ability to provide equal access to services. An interpreter or other accommodations can be coordinated by the provider through phone or video during your telemedicine visit.
-
The telemedicine program at Johns Hopkins is wholly owned and operated by Johns Hopkins Medicine. Through the system, your health care provider has access to your secure electronic medical records.
Your information and safety are carefully protected when you use telehealth services, just as they would be during an in-person doctor visit. MyChart virtual video visits are secure and compliant with all traditional privacy regulations.
Please note that during the COVID-19 State of Emergency only, if you and your provider agree, you may participate in a telehealth visit through use of a non-public, non-HIPAA approved, two-way audiovisual communications system such as FaceTime.
You may also connect with your provider via telephone.