Due to the spread of COVID-19, leaving our homes can feel difficult. Even when we’re feeling sick, we debate whether visiting a clinic or hospital will help us or risk making us sicker. It might seem simple, but it can be a tough decision for many. Healthcare professionals are making it easier with telehealth. Now, you can consult your local health care professional and get treatment from the comfort of your home.
Here are ten things you might want to know before booking your virtual appointment:
Telehealth refers to the delivery of healthcare services through digital information and communication technology. It allows health care professionals to provide low-risk urgent care and clinical support, overcome geographical barriers, and improve health outcomes while still maintaining a high level of patient privacy. Through telehealth care, doctors can evaluate, diagnose, treat and even prevent injuries to help improve your well-being.
Telehealth chiropractic consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic increase the accessibility of care for patients who are at high-risk and require aid. They can also avoid the need for an in-person appointment and reduce exposure to the virus. These real-time video consultations are convenient and can be done on any device, such as mobile phones, laptops, and desktops. The only requirement is that the device has a webcam and a microphone. These virtual consultations are also effective for improving pain and function in those who have spinal conditions, osteoarthritis, and other musculoskeletal issues.
If you aren’t sure, you can always contact your chiropractor to discuss.
As with all situations, if you have COVID symptoms you should stay home. We also recommend telehealth appointments, if possible, if you are in a high-risk group.
If you are comfortable with telehealth appointments and have access to the required technology, you might find telehealth appointment just as – or more – appropriate for the following situations:
If you go to the clinic for regular check ups then, to some extent, you will be treated and reassured online, as you would in-person. If your symptoms are new, increasing in frequency or severity, or you require immediate help, your chiropractor might suggest that you come for an in-person visit.
It may seem odd that the new normal consists of your chiropractor assessing you online. You might also wonder how different an online assessment is compared to in person. For most situations, the two aren’t very different. Prior to your appointment, your chiropractor will provide recommendations on how to prepare and get the most from your consultation. The doctor will let you know what to wear for ease of assessment and how to set up your space for exercising. During the examination, the doctor will take a thorough history and listen to your concerns, health goals, and preferences. They will also identify possible issues and give you guidance and reassurance as they would in your in-person visits. Throughout the appointment, the doctor will observe posture, range of motion, and movement patterns. They will continue to tell you risks and benefits of certain treatments as they assess and plan next steps with you. The doctor will also help you with performing exercises correctly and provide you with self-management strategies as with any other visit. If necessary, your chiropractor will make referrals or set up an in-person visit.
Yes! Telehealth care is completely safe and secure. At YOUR HEALTH Wellness Center, our virtual appointments are booked through and take place in an app called Jane. Jane provides peer-to-peer audiovisual communication, which means that your device communicates directly with the doctor’s device. All information is encrypted with the same level of security a bank uses to transfer information and no data is saved anywhere. All Jane online appointments are PIPEDA and HIPAA compliant.
Appointments can be done on any device that has a webcam and a microphone. For android devices, Chrome works best. For iOS, you must install the free Jane app. Our online appointment system only allows one-on-one appointments, so your appointment will be with your doctor only.
For help on how to use the Jane appointment system, you can visit their website to see how to book appointments, pay fees, attend consultations, and more.
Currently, Sunlife, Canada Life, Manu Life, Desjardins, Green Shield, Pacific Blue Cross, Medavie Blue Cross, and Alberta Blue Cross cover chiropractic telehealth visits. If your insurance company doesn’t cover telehealth visits, you are responsible for paying for the visit. Contact your insurance company if you aren’t sure if telehealth visits are covered.
To schedule your chiropractic Telehealth appointment, call the clinic at 905-829-0724 or book online at https://yourhealthwellnesscentre.janeapp.com.
Although telehealth appointments have many benefits for both chiropractors and patients, they can never fully replace manual therapies and adjustments. However, they are an innovative and useful tool to enhance what we can do for our patients, especially during this global pandemic.
Author: Manaal Fahim. Co-op Student.
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