What should patients have available for reference during a telehealth appointment?

Having a detailed medical history summary available during a telehealth appointment is crucial for several reasons. It provides healthcare professionals with essential background information about the patient's past health conditions, treatments, and medications. This information can facilitate better communication and ensure that the provider has a comprehensive understanding of any ongoing issues or concerns.

The medical history helps the provider make informed decisions about diagnosis and treatment options, ensuring that the care given is tailored to the patient's unique needs. Additionally, having this summary at hand can help patients remember important details that they may need to discuss during the appointment, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the consultation.

While other options might provide some benefits, they do not serve the same foundational purpose as a detailed medical history summary. Family members may introduce additional perspectives but do not replace the clinical importance of the patient's history. The internet might offer general health information but can also lead to misinformation and may not directly relate to the patient's specific concerns. Past appointment notes can be useful, but they may not encompass the entire history or provide the latest updates and changes in the patient's health status. Thus, the detailed medical history summary stands out as the most essential reference during the telehealth appointment.