Edmonton & Calgary TelePhysio
Along with continuing to provide physiotherapy and exercise therapy to those in urgent or critical need and pass our covid19 vetting questionnaire, we are offering our current, old and new clients our telehealth program!
InHome Physical Therapy is proud to introduce Telemedicine services in the form of TelePhysio to our patients and all Albertans as a response to the unique challenges posed by Covid19 and the pandemic that we are all facing.
What is TelePhysio?
As the name suggests ‘tele’ refers to ‘over distance’ and the initial method of communication was the telephone. Nowadays, high-speed connections and web cameras mean that the ability to perform thorough assessments and guiding treatments remotely is extremely viable and highly effective.
TelePhysio is the delivery of rehabilitation services over telecommunication networks and the internet. It includes video and voice conferencing as well as the ability for us to share exercise program prescription via secure file transfer services.
Services
We are offering three types of services:
- clinical assessment – assessment of your functional abilities, concerns, and movement issues while you remain in your own environment
- clinical physical therapy – advice, exercise prescription and self management strategies while you remain in your own environment
- clinical exercise therapy – this is directed by your InHome kinesiologist
Injury, pain, vestibular and concussion management services have been provided via telemedicine for years. Essentially, once you enter our virtual waiting room, you will be connected to your physiotherapist or kinesiologist via your smartphone, tablet or computer. To get there, you will receive a link that is emailed to you, you will click the link, sign in with your full name and we will be there to open the session. There is no need to download any software, you simply will click a link to enter the appointment.
What are the limitations and treatment options of a TeleRehab session?
There are certainly limits to what we can do in a TeleRehab session. Physical and exercise therapists will often use hands-on skills to both assess and treat a patient.
Since TeleRehab creates an obvious barrier to that portion of the assessment or treatment, there will be inherent limitations to the clinical effectiveness of the session.
We can still offer quite a bit of knowledge from a consultation. Often, from your history, observation and objective tests (self-performed), information can be consolidated to give you a reasonable diagnosis for which we can work from. From that same information, a reasonable treatment plan which can include self-management advice, stretches, strength exercises, self-mobilization, and other home strategies can be provided.
The advantages of Telehealth
There are several advantages to this type of appointment. Most notably during times such as when a patient is fearful to leave their environment, physically unable to leave their environment (due to physical restrictions or presently due to quarantine), or when one of our experts might offer you their expertise and they live at a great distance.
Do I have what I need to be able to participate?
You need a computer or phone with internet capabilities, a forward camera and microphone (usually built into your device)
No downloads or accounts. There is NO need to download software or create an account. Just use a browser on a computer or device with a camera and microphone.
Please wear loose fitting clothes, shorts for lower extremity, tank top for upper extremity
How do we get started?
- Step One – contact us and request a Telehealth appointment by indicating it in the contact form.
- Step Two – Our staff will contact you to arrange an appointment time, gather your information, discuss fees and arrange billing.
- Step Three – An email will be sent to you which will include our consent form, intake forms and a link to click to enter our virtual office
The actual appointment will seem a lot like Facetime or any other videoconference except that it is encrypted for your privacy and safety. Further recommendations & exercises will be sent to you as quickly as possible. Follow–up appointments are then arranged with your physiotherapist.
We recommend that you log into our virtual waiting room about 5 minutes early, and ensure that you have a good wifi connection and that the room is quiet and free from distraction.
If you are having difficulty joining our virtual waiting room, please call us immediately.
You will have to ensure privacy on your end. We are unable to control who is in the room with you.
Consent
In order to utilize our Telehealth services, you will be asked to read and verbally acknowledge consent to undergo assessment, evaluation or treatment.
Informed Consent Expectations
Our Regulatory Body sets standards and requires that you will need to agree to:
- To receive services via telerehabilitation rather than in person
- Consent to videotaping, recording or otherwise storing information and data from the telerehabilitation session. (Our platform does not store any information from the session)
- Consent to the transmission of information via telerehabilitation technologies (Doxy.me)
- Consent for the participation of other health-care providers or your family in the provision of care. (If applicable) the presence of these individuals while delivering services
Our consent form must be downloaded and read PRIOR to your initial visit. Verbal acknowledgment of this consent is required prior to any provision of service.
For more information or to book your appointment, please contact InHome Physical Therapy & Massage.
