Lecture 20 - Virtual Care Flashcards
What is techquity?
“Techquity” is the idea that healthcare technology can either be a barrier or conduit to more accessible, equitable care, depending on its purpose and design. Techquity as a concept is also the driving force behind a growing number of startups – including, and most meaningfully, healthcare platforms. (source: Forbes.com)
An example of a strategy to improve access to ‘technology’ for the broader community is Canada’s Connectivity Strategy which aims to provide all Canadians with access to internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download / 10 Mbps upload.
The Universal Broadband Fund is a $3.225 billion investment by the Government of Canada designed to help provide high-speed internet access to 98 per cent of Canadians by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100 per cent access by 2030.
For example, in March 2024 over $11.4 million in combined federal and provincial funding was announced for First Nations Cable to bring high-speed internet access to more than 2,600 Indigenous households in Six Nations of the Grand River. Source: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004304/governments-of-canada-and-ontario-invest-over-114-million-to-bring-high-speed-internet-access-to-more-than-2600-indigenous-households-in-ontario
What is PT’s role and responsibilities in providing virtual care
The College of PT of Ontario outlines the expectations regarding Virtual Practice (Tele-rehabilitation) based on Existing College of Physiotherapists of Ontario Standards and Rules. Below you will find the information from the current standard on the CPO website. Source: https://www.collegept.org/registrants/virtual-practice-in-physiotherapy
Note:
Breadth of definition of Virtual Practice
You can only provide care to patients in the province you are registered to practice in
Source link has additional/supplemental resources, such as checklists and FAQa for those interested in learning more (or Bookmark for your Placement/Practice Resources)
What is Virtual Practice?
Virtual practice, also known as tele-rehabilitation, is the delivery of professional physiotherapy services at a distance, using telecommunications technology as the service delivery medium.
Virtual practice relates to all aspects of patient care including the patient interview, physical assessment and diagnosis, treatment, maintenance activities, consultation, education, and training. It can include the use of media such as videoconferencing, email, apps, web-based communication, and wearable technology. Physiotherapist assistants may or may not be present with the patient.
Virtual practice is an alternate mode of service delivery of traditional rehabilitation services and as such, the practice of virtual care does not remove or alter any existing responsibilities for the provider.
Providers must adhere to all existing practice requirements, including the scope of practice of the profession, the standards of professional practice, the code of ethics, as well as any provincial and federal laws that guide practice.
Registration Requirements
Physiotherapists must be registered to practice in Ontario to provide virtual care to patients in Ontario.
Physiotherapists assessing or treating patients residing in another jurisdiction must be registered to practice in that jurisdiction.
Competence
Physiotherapists who provide virtual care must ensure they have the knowledge, skills, abilities and judgement to safely and effectively provide care remotely.
Standards and Expectations
All relevant standards, rules and legislation apply to physiotherapists’ performance of virtual practice.
This means:
The College’s standards of practice apply to the practice of virtual care.
The Colleges’ code of ethics applies to the practice of virtual care.
All relevant legislation applies to the practice of virtual care.
Physiotherapists must use their professional judgement to determine:
Whether virtual practice is the most appropriate method to deliver services considering the circumstances.
Whether a direct physical examination is required to complete the assessment and determine a physiotherapy diagnosis and treatment plan.
Whether they have the ability to deliver substantively similar care as physiotherapy delivered face-to-face.
Whether patient factors such as physical, sensory, or cognitive deficits may impact the ability to deliver appropriate care through virtual practice.
Physiotherapists must ensure that virtual practice does not expose the patient to greater risk than other possible service delivery methods.
Record keeping must indicate if the physiotherapy session was provided through virtual practice.
Physiotherapists must be aware of and comply with the privacy legislation relevant to virtual practice, including the Personal Health Information Protection Act.
Physiotherapists are accountable for the privacy and security of patients’ health information that is transmitted for the purpose of virtual practice.
Physiotherapists must obtain informed consent for virtual practice.
The consent conversation must include all elements of consent according the Health Care Consent Act.
Physiotherapists must ensure clear communication in virtual practice.
Physiotherapists must manage the additional technology considerations associated with virtual practice such as security, data storage and technical trouble shooting.
When selecting and using a technology platform, physiotherapists must take reasonable steps to ensure that personal health information is protected and that the patient provides informed consent before proceeding with care.
Physiotherapists must have an adverse event plan in place should a patient experience an emergency during a virtual physiotherapy session.
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance requirements apply in virtual practice.
Physiotherapists should check with their insurance providers if treating patients out of province to ensure coverage.
Fees and Billing
Physiotherapists who provide virtual care should ensure that their invoices are clear:
that the care being billed for was provided through virtual practice
who provided the care.
Physiotherapists should discuss fees and payment options with the patient.
Physiotherapists should advise their patients to confirm with their insurer whether virtual physiotherapy sessions are covered.
