Remote Visit User Guide

Jan 28, 2026 • 3 min read

Convenience of Joining from Home, Making a Real Impact

The BEACON-SLE Study is designed to help researchers learn how BENLYSTA® (belimumab) is used in everyday care and how it affects people living with lupus in the real world. Participating in a remote study visit through a simple video call allows you to contribute to important research from the comfort of your home. Your time and effort help advance understanding of lupus.

What You’ll Need for Your Remote Study Visit

Please have the following ready to make sure your visit goes smoothly:

A fully charged device (smartphone, tablet, or laptop) with a working camera, microphone, and stable internet connection.

A quiet, well-lit space that is free from distractions.

Good lighting so your face is clearly visible; having a small flashlight or your phone’s flashlight nearby can help with skin, scalp, or joint checks.

Flexible device positioning so you can easily adjust or prop up your device hands-free if the research staff asks to view specific areas (such as your face, hands, or scalp).

Space to move in case you are briefly asked to stand or walk a few steps.

Your medication information, including your current steroid(s) and BENLYSTA® (belimumab) — either the medication bottles or a list with doses and schedule.

Time to focus without interruptions so the visit can be completed comfortably.

What to Expect

Before Your Video Call:

Schedule your visit

Use the scheduling link on your PicnicHealth Research Dashboard or the link sent to your email.

Tip: Search your inbox for “New task for the BEACON-SLE Study - schedule your remote visit” to find the scheduling email.

Check your confirmation

You’ll receive an email with your appointment time and instructions for joining the video call.

On the Day of Your Video Call:

Join the call

Click the Zoom link sent to you by email or text message, or use the link available on your research dashboard.

Meet with the research staff member

• They will ask you structured questions about your health and any lupus symptoms you’ve experienced over the past 30 days.
• If needed, they may guide you through a few simple visual checks (such as looking at your skin, hair, joints, or mouth). You can always tell them if you’re not comfortable with anything.

Receive Compensation

You’ll receive up to $60 for completing your visit.

FAQs

What should I expect during the remote study visit?
During the remote study visit, you’ll meet with a research staff member over a video call. They will ask you a series of structured questions about your health and any lupus symptoms you’ve experienced in the past 30 days. In some cases, they may also guide you through a few simple visual exam steps—such as looking at your skin, hair, joints, or mouth—if you’re comfortable. The visit usually takes about 30 minutes, and you’ll have a chance to ask questions at any time.

What do I need for my remote study visit?
You’ll need a fully charged device with a camera and microphone (such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer), a reliable internet connection, and a quiet, well-lit space. Please also have your current corticosteroid(s) and BENLYSTA® (belimumab) medication bottles or a list with doses handy. Before your visit, you’ll receive detailed instructions and a link to join the video call.

How do I join the remote study visit?
You’ll receive a link in your confirmation email and calendar invite to join the video call via Zoom. At the scheduled time, click the link to join the session. Be sure to log in 5-10 minutes early to ensure everything is set up properly.

Who do I contact if I have questions?
If you have questions about the remote study visit, please contact us at help@picnichealth.com or (415) 801-0572.

Will the remote study visit be recorded?
The remote study visit may be recorded to help researchers make sure the data is collected correctly. The recording may include your voice and answers, but any personal details will be removed. Taking part in the recording is optional. You can still do the visit even if you choose not to be recorded.

Can I reschedule if something comes up?
Yes. You can reschedule at any time through your PicnicHealth account or by reaching out to the PicnicHealth team at help@picnichealth.com or (415) 801-0572.

How can I claim my compensation?
After completing your remote research assessment, your compensation will appear on the rewards page of your research dashboard.

We know that every person's story is unique and deserves to be heard.

Join our early breast cancer registry to be counted and share your story with research.

Create a List

List the names of all the doctors, hospitals, and other facilities your loved one visits regularly, along with those they have visited in the past. Try to go back as far as you can, striving for at least the last 5-10 years, but do your best. Even if you can’t remember them all, having a strong baseline can help you quickly identify gaps in records.

Ensure You Have the Appropriate Legal Status

It is important to make sure that you are fully empowered to make decisions on behalf of your loved one with Alzheimer’s. Your relationship status with the patient may not be enough to legally give you access to your loved one's medical information. It is a good idea to talk to an expert about securing special legal status, such as Power of Attorney (POA), a legal document that allows an individual to name someone as their decision maker should they no longer be able to make decisions on their own.

Gather and Organize the Medical Records in One Place

It’s important to have all of your loved one’s medical records together in one spot. This makes it much easier for you and your loved one’s physicians to accurately map the patient’s medical journey and more easily share information between doctors. Fortunately, tools exist to make record management and access simple. A free resource like PicnicHealth helps you collect and organize all of this information. PicnicHealth’s intuitive timeline allows you to pinpoint data across the medical history, eliminating your need for keeping heavy binders filled with paper records or keeping track of multiple software portal logins.

Review the Medical Records to be an Informed Advocate

The better you understand your loved one's medical history, the better you can advocate on their behalf. Access and understanding of this information will help you to ask informed questions with physicians. Through regular communication backed by the data in the medical records, you can help your loved one’s care team develop a more successful care plan.

Learn more about PicnicHealth’s commitment to the Alzheimer’s community and the Alzheimer’s Association

Together, we can make a difference.

1. Build a support network.

When you’re juggling appointment times and insurance claims, putting a robust support system together might not strike you as the most urgent task. Investing the time to cultivate relationships with people can turn to in times of need will pay dividends. The next time you need a last-minute ride or just someone to listen, you won’t be on your own.

There are many condition-specific support groups and support groups for caregivers generally in person or online. In addition to the encouragement and empathy they provide, support groups can be a helpful source of tips, resources, and recommendations for navigating caregiving.

2. Stay organized.

The backbone of effective caregiving is organization. Keep medical information, appointment schedules, and medication lists in order. Use a planner or a digital service like PicnicHealth to stay on top of your responsibilities. This attention to detail can prevent future complications and reduce day-to-day stress.

3. Explore treatments and clinical trials.

We’ve seen incredible breakthroughs in treatment over the past couple of years, powered by patients and their caregivers participating in research. Stay in the loop about the latest in medical advancements and available resources that could benefit your loved one. Whether it’s a new therapy option or a community service that aids independence, being informed can make a world of difference in the quality of care you provide.

4. Make time for self-care.

It may seem self-centered to focus on self-care—but when you feel good, you can be a better caregiver. Whether it’s exercise, a mindfulness practice, a soak in the bath, or just time to rest when you need it, carve out those moments in the day when you can unwind, reset, and stay healthy mentally and physically. Think of it as building up your reserves of kindness, patience, and understanding—which can only benefit your loved one. No one can pour from an empty cup.

Having trouble managing your loved one's medical records?

Easily manage all of your loved one's medical records and contribute to ongoing Alzheimer's research with PicnicHealth.

Data from real-world medical records:

(from 13 patients with LC-FAOD)

16 yrs old

Median age at enrollment

38% Female

15 providers / patient

7.5 years of data / patient

Data from patient-reported outcome (PRO) survey

(from 13 patients with LC-FAOD)

Learn more about contributing to IgAN research with PicnicHealth.

Tip: Download or print the poster at the end of this article to review before your next appointment!

Learn more about contributing to IgAN research with PicnicHealth.

A tablet, phone, or laptop with a working camera, microphone, and stable internet connection.

A quiet, distraction-free area with enough space to walk a few steps if applicable.

A chair that you can use during any movements or tasks you’ll be asked to perform.

The tripod mailed to you via Amazon.