What to Expect in a Telehealth Zoom Consult

Telehealth refers to the delivery of services, in this case physiotherapy, to clients via a telephone or a video link. This means that you need at the very least a telephone, but even better a computer, tablet or smartphone. A video consult is always preferred with physio because so much of our treatment and advice revolves around observation.

Prior to setting up a TH consultation, your clinician should do a screening process with you to check whether you are an appropriate candidate, have the right technology and the appropriate situation in which to conduct a TH consultation. Unfortunately not all (physio) patients are suitable for TH. Assuming you are, your clinician should give you instructions on how to receive the video link and how then to log on to the telehealth session.

Some considerations for you as a client might be your location; somewhere quiet and uncluttered with good lighting is always recommended; a support person - to assist with technological issues or simply to hold the device/camera for you; any reports, exercises sheets or equipment that might be appropriate to demonstrate your current situation.

Once logged on, the consult is conducted in the same way as a normal face to face consult. That means we will ask questions first, then get you to demonstrate various movements and then try to guide you with exercise and expert advice in this situation.

Problems always do occur with internet dropouts and unexpected technology hiccups. If that happens, we try to reconnect but can always resort t o a simple telephone if necessary, so have the phone number of your clinician handy.

The option is there so please do not be afraid of requesting a telehealth consultation in the event you are unable or unwilling to do a face to face consult.