SPINEgroup® provides secure “virtual care” or “tele-rehabilitation” for existing as well as new patients. Learn how our Virtual Care Services can help you.
What A Patient Should Know About Virtual Care
As we persevere though the ongoing pandemic in Ontario, virtual care has become an integral part of providing a range of non-urgent or emergency care to patients. In terms of general information, patients are encouraged to be proactively aware of how to safely access virtual care services such as health consults, ongoing counselling, and patient education.
Before engaging in virtual care services, you should consider the following things:
– always join a virtual care video conference with your health provider from your private location using a secure Internet connection on a password-protected Wi-Fi network;
– ask if your health provider is working from home;
– become more comfortable with virtual care services by asking about safeguards when sending or receiving your personal health information by video conferencing, or through patient portals;
– when it comes to using email, request that your health provider use encryption for emails if and when sending your personal health information to others (e.g. other physicians in the community);
– if another person is present with you during the virtual care appointment, your consent should be given;
– for patient portals, ask about any access controls if you would like to share any information with your substitute decision-maker, legal representative or insurance company;
On the other hand, after engaging in virtual care, you should also consider the following things:
– do understand that virtual patient care interactions are “recorded” (e.g. clinical notes taken by your health provider) in the same way as any in-person appointment or treatment.
– please do provide feedback to your health provider to confirm that you are comfortable with any ongoing virtual care services.
If you have any questions, please contact us or your individual health provider.
