Module 2 - Telemedecine consultation by videoconferencing
This module ‘Telemedecine consultation by videoconferencing’ is the second of a series of more specific themes on the use of telehealth. This module includes concrete examples and testimonials from the Vitalité Health Network of New Brunswick and the Réseaux universitaires intégrés de santé McGill (RUIS), in collaboration with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of Québec’s James Bay.
This telehealth professional development module is designed for health professionals who wish to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to master telehealth.
| TELEMEDECINE CONSULTATION BY VIDEOCONFERENCING | ||||
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Section 1 The Use of Videoconferencing Technology to Provide Clinical Telemedicine Consultations |
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| The use of videoconferencing (VC) technology to provide clinical consultations remotely is rapidly increasing across Canada; however, one must understand the functionality of these services and networks before embarking on the development of these services through your institution. This section will guide you, by way of example, on the creation and integration of a hub-and-spoke telestroke model, which can be used to frame your services, regardless of the teleconsultation offering you have in mind. In addition, an example of a clinical case discussion using VC between experts, is provided. Planning a new telemedicine service starts with giving thought to required infrastructure and room design. Overall, the organization of VC telemedicine services can be intimidating when starting from scratch. Fortunately, some administrators and clinicians have shared a number of ‘lessons learned’ and tips that can come in handy and lead you in the right direction. | ||||
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Section 2 The Steps Involved in Implementing Videoconferencing Telemedicine Services |
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| Oftentimes, when tasked with the implementation of VC telemedicine services within an organization, clinicians and/or managers do not know where to start and often develop a trial‑and‑error approach in the face of this challenge. Implementing such services requires careful planning, ongoing assessment of what is working, and what is not for the purpose of rapid intervention or modification. We recommend a much more thoughtful approach, which will take into consideration recommendations from the literature to maximize on ‘lessons learned’ by other organizations. Therefore, this section describes, using a 9‑step approach, how an organization can plan and implement their VC telemedicine services, with long‑term success and sustainability in mind. | ||||
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Section 3 The Protocols when Providing Telemedicine Services |
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| As technology is increasingly integrated in our respective healthcare systems worldwide and the provision of quality healthcare is generally the expected norm, it becomes essential that these virtual interactions are conducted in a standardized way and are comparable to in‑person consultations. Moreover, it is important that organizations develop specific operational protocols and training material tailored to their organization in order to promote a standardized approach for the provision of VC telemedicine services. As such, this section will focus on the importance of having these protocols in place to foster successful implementation of VC telemedicine services or a program. | ||||
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Section 4 The Evaluation of Videoconferencing Telemedicine Services |
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| When implementing a new telemedicine service or enlarging an existing portfolio of telemedicine activities, it is essential to ensure that the services you are providing are meeting the needs that they are intended to meet. A rigorous evaluation is therefore essential to making this determination. They ensure accountability for the quality and pertinence of services and need to be thoughtfully planned out, rather than simply an afterthought as is unfortunately, as is often the case. This section will provide you with concrete instruction on how to conduct such an evaluation. | ||||
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Section 5 The Videoconferencing Telemedicine Services In the Cree Community In Northern Quebec |
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| In Eeyou Istchee, the distances are great and there is limited access to specialists like ophthalmologists, obstetricians, cardiologists, and psychiatrists. The access to these services is available through specialists’ visits on the territory, through telehealth or by sending the clients to a hospital in Abitibi‑Temiscamingue, Chibougamau or Montreal. Today Cree patients residing in the nine communities in northern Quebec can connect with some of their specialists remotely using videoconferencing technology. This section explains how the Cree Telehealth Team has organized these services for the clients to increase access to care, improve the quality of care and reduce the cost and time for patients, their families, and healthcare providers. | ||||