Your first Oshi visit: What to expect and how we support you every step of the way

Feeling nervous or unsure about your upcoming virtual GI care appointment with Oshi Health? That’s completely natural—especially if it’s your first online visit.

And don’t worry. We’ve got you.

Below, we walk you through what to expect before, during, and after your first Oshi appointment so you can show up feeling confident and ready to take control of your digestive health.

How we get you started on a path to lasting relief

Your first Oshi Health appointment is with an expert, licensed GI provider called an advanced practice provider (APP). Our APPs, including nurse practitioners and physician associates (also known as physician assistants or PAs), all work under the supervision of a board-certified gastroenterologist.

This initial visit (and beyond) is all about you. Together, you and your provider will dive into your digestive concerns, explore potential root causes, discuss your care goals, and decide if you might benefit from working with other specialists, like a registered dietitian (RD) or behavioral health provider.

Most of our patients work with an RD because what you eat plays a major role in your digestive health. And if stress or emotional factors might be contributing to your symptoms (and poor quality of life), we might recommend working with a gut-brain specialist.

Whether you need targeted treatment or extra support, Oshi’s team-based, clinically-proven approach is here to help you find lasting relief.

Before your visit

Once you create an account with Oshi, you’ll get a welcome email with pre-appointment information, including instructions for downloading our app.

After booking your appointment date and time, you’ll get a confirmation email with all the details.

We’ll also send you:

• Pre-appointment forms. We’ll send you brief forms to fill out before your visit. They’ll include questions about your health and symptom history so your provider is fully prepared when they e-meet you—no repeating yourself during your appointment!
• Friendly reminders. Leading up to your appointment, you’ll get reminders with helpful tips for a smooth visit and contact info in case you have questions.
• Instructions to confirm and join your appointment. We’ll share a link to join your video appointment on your desktop computer or the Oshi Health mobile app, whichever works best for you.

Preparing for a successful visit

We want all your Oshi Health visits to feel easy and stress-free. Here’s how to set yourself up for a successful appointment:

• Find a quiet, private space that puts you at ease.
• Charge your device so you don’t run out of battery mid-visit.
• Make sure your microphone and camera permissions are enabled so your provider can see and hear you.
• Check your internet connection to avoid interruptions.
• Think about what you want to focus on during your visit, and consider jotting down any questions or thoughts you might want to bring up to your provider.

Your first Oshi Health visit step-by-step

There’s no one-size-fits-all Oshi visit. That’s because your symptoms, goals, and experiences are unique to you. But here’s a broad rundown of what your first visit will entail.

1. Learning about the whole you

You and your GI provider will discuss your symptoms, health history, and care goals in more detail, using the info from your filled-out forms as a jumping-off point.

You’ll discuss your:

• Health background, including any medications you’re taking or have tried
• Family history
• GI symptoms and how they might be impacting your life
• Symptom triggers
• Stress and mental health
• Lifestyle habits
• Medical procedure or surgical history
• Testing history (if any)

The goal? To get to the root causes of your digestive concerns and tackle them in a way that considers your lifestyle, goals, and preferences.

2. Uncovering the root cause of your symptoms

Already have previous test results on hand? Awesome. Not yet? No worries—you’re in the right place. At Oshi, we don’t believe in ordering tests just for the sake of it. Your GI provider will get you started with your evidence-based, personalized care plan. If your GI provider thinks testing will help with diagnosis or inform adjustments to your care plan, we try to make it as easy as possible. Our care coordinators can help you find convenient, in-network locations for labs and diagnostics.

3. Personalized care plan

As part of your tailored care plan, your GI provider will work with you to figure out whether you could benefit from dietary or behavioral health support. Most of our patients work with a multidisciplinary team of providers, an approach clinically proven to lead to better outcomes.

Your personalized plan might also include prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medication. However, depending on your needs, you might or may not get a prescription during your first appointment.

At the end of your appointment, you’ll discuss next steps with your provider, like when they want to see you next and how to book your appointment with other Oshi specialists.

After your visit

After your visit, you’ll get a summary of your visit in the Oshi Health app. We’ll also send along prompts to schedule follow-ups with your GI provider or other members of our care team, based on your individual care plan.

Plus, your provider will share tailored educational resources and tools that you can access right within the Oshi app.

Ongoing support and guidance

Your first virtual visit is just the beginning of your supportive, personalized care experience. At Oshi, we’re here to help you take control of your digestive health in a way that works for you.

We’ll equip you with research-backed tools and knowledge to confidently manage your symptoms. Need advice during a flare-up or just want a quick check-in? Reach out to your care team anytime through 24/7 chat messaging or schedule a virtual appointment at a time that works for you, including on evenings and weekends. We’re here to meet you with care that fits your life.

Takeaway

Your first virtual GI care visit with an Oshi Health GI provider will set the tone for your care experience. Here’s what you can expect:

• Your first appointment is all about you. You and your provider will go over your health history, symptoms, goals, and more.
• After your first visit you’ll feel empowered to start making progress on your evidence-based, personalized care plan. This may include working with an RD or behavioral specialist.
• Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to get the care you need. From helpful reminders to resources in the Oshi Health app we’re here to provide care and support you whenever needed.