Although telemedicine has been steadily incorporated new technology, improved and deployed over the years, COVID 19 pandemic forced clinics to transit to telemedicine rapidly. During the urgent adaption of telemedicine, challenges were not only the inadequate infrastructure but also the unfamiliarity of telemedicine by the patients and medical staff. In foot and ankle surgery, physical examination and gait are indispensable. We took the advantage of the wide availability of smartphone and its advanced video and photo capacities, and designed and produced a tutorial video for the patients to use their smartphones to prepare their telemedicine visits. 

The tutorial video used physical demonstration, audio and bullet-points in large fonts to make it easy to follow by a diverse patient population. Step by step, the patients were guided to take photos and record video of their foot and ankle conditions. The video and photos taken by the patients, comprising of a comprehensive foot and ankle physical examination, were submitted to the physician’s office before a telemedicine session. By previewing the patients’ video and photos, surgeons were prepared for the telemedicine visit and allowed to spend more time on disease history and discussion. After the telemedicine session, patients’ photos and videos were saved as a part of the patient’s electronic medical record, available for reference and later review. 

With more and more in-person clinical visits are resumed, the tutorial video continues to be used for patients follow up. It is proven of cost-effective and time-saving.