Virtual Care 101: 5 Things to Know About Online Visits

The COVID-19 pandemic means many patients aren’t able to receive care in ways they normally would. Physical distancing measures are keeping people from walking into clinics and meeting with healthcare professionals face-to-face. But at Physiomed, that hasn’t stopped us from putting your needs first. 

New advances in technology are allowing us to look after patients through Virtual Care. This means we’re using secure video conferencing software to connect remotely, so you can receive individualized treatment in the comfort of your own home.

Because no one is certain how long this pandemic will last, deferring health treatments indefinitely is not only inconvenient — but could also be dangerous. Virtual Care allows you to get the attention you need while still respecting federal guidelines on physical distancing.  

So if you’re wondering exactly what Virtual Care looks like, this helpful guide has everything you need to know about online visits. 

1) What you’ll need to get started

Connecting to one of our practitioners is easy: All you need is a laptop or PC. A smartphone or tablet is perfectly fine, too. As long as the device has a camera and microphone, Virtual Care is an option for you. You’ll also need a strong Internet connection, whether it be through wifi or landline. The best part is no software installation is required, nor will you need to configure any accounts. 

2) How you’ll connect

Once you book an appointment for Virtual Care, our team will assess your needs and make sure we can deliver the service you require effectively. We’ll then email you a weblink to your video conferencing session. 

There may be instances where a phone consultation would be equally effective. Or, some patients may have concerns about being on video. If this is the case, one of our practitioners will set up a time for a telephone appointment instead. 

3) How the session will play out

After receiving your consent to participate through a digital platform, you can expect the appointment to continue the same way as an in-person visit. Although there will be some key differences, your practitioner will still have the ability to:

• Assess your condition and underlying symptoms
• Offer a diagnosis; make treatment recommendations
• Conduct exercises and monitor your form and balance
• Monitor your progress and update your treatment plan as needed
• Provide on-going guidance & support until we can return to in-person care

Despite the lack of hands-on treatment, there are still many ways to improve your condition. Your clinician should be able to provide ongoing guidance during each Virtual Care appointment, until you can return to regular in-person visits. 

4) Types of services available

Naturally, some treatments lend themselves better to Virtual Care than others. For example, physiotherapy, chiropractic and clinical conditioning can be delivered effectively in a remote setting. Consultative services, such as naturopathy and nutritional counselling can also be provided through Virtual Care.

Ask your healthcare expert beforehand if online visits are an option for your condition. You may be surprised as to how much can be achieved remotely. 

5) Helpful tips

Although a reliable device and strong Internet connection are key, you may still run into a few hiccups along the way. To make your Virtual Care session as smooth as possible, here are some pro tips:

• Wear comfortable clothing that allows for flexibility and movement
• If you have injuries or swelling, be sure these areas can be easily visible to your practitioner
• Consider having a family member nearby, in case you need help holding the camera for visual examinations

The Physiomed Difference

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, Physiomed continues to offer the same level of care you’ve come to expect from our team. As we began to realize the full scope of this pandemic, our company took immediate action to ensure we were there for our patients. We believe it’s important, now more than ever, to take care of your physical and emotional well-being. 

You can expect our practitioners to offer the same quality services and professionalism you’d find at an in-person visit. Aside from the absence of physical interaction, nothing else changes. 

During Virtual Care, our Physiomed staff will continue to:

• Meet the same regulatory requirements for healthcare professionals
• Adhere to the company’s Standards of Practice and Code of Conduct
• Offer a safe space where patients can feel comfortable and encouraged to meet their long-term goals

We look forward to serving you during this difficult time. Virtual Care is just one way for us to stay connected, until we can meet in-person once again.

For more information or to book an appointment for Virtual Care, please visit us here.