why we’re using virtual visits

A lot is changing around how we visit with clients because of social distancing and prioritizing your safety. In an effort to still give you access to the care you need but also limit non-essential travel, we’re bringing PPT to you! Using the Ontario Telemedicine Network (or OTN for short) we can still chat with you about your healthcare needs in a secure and convenient way through a virtual visit. 

Click here to skip to the PPT’s OTN Virtual Visit Consent Form

Scroll all the way to the bottom for the Virtual Visit Feedback Form

 

prepping for your virtual visit

Please note: using OTN involves additional risks (as compared to in-person visits), so we encourage you to read through these tips and the points on the consent form (linked above and below) to prepare for your virtual visit. 

If you’ve consented to virtual video visits, we’ll use your first name and email address to book that visit in OTN, which will send you a confirmation email.  If you scroll down a bit further, there are step-by-step instructions to help you set up at home; we’ve adapted these from an awesome guide put together by Stewart Medicine. 

It’s important to give yourself some time before your visit to use the test device button in that email and make sure your equipment is working.

If you’re using a laptop, you’ll need access to the webcam and microphone (we also suggest using headphones here). OTN recommends using Chrome or Firefox, but if you have technical issues with one browser, try another. Lots of things can disrupt a video visit including internet connection, or issues with sound, software, and equipment. A good way to try and prevent this is to use headphones and close all other open programs/browsers, especially things like Netflix or YouTube. If you’re having technical difficulties let your provider know. 

We take precautions to avoid interruptions, and encourage you to do the same — if you have privacy concerns regarding your space, please tell your provider. If you’re interrupted, you can use the ‘Privacy Option’ button on your screen to turn off the video display. 

It’s a good idea to take five minutes before your visit to settle into your space. Feel free to grab a glass of water or a cup of tea. Make yourself comfortable!

 

consent form

when your appointment starts, we’ll ask you to verify that you’ve read this form and give consent for this virtual visit to take place. You’ll have an opportunity to ask us any questions you may have. If you don’t feel comfortable consenting to the virtual visit, we’ll provide you with instructions and next steps for re-scheduling your appointment a different way. 

Click here for the form: PPT’s OTN Virtual Visit Consent Form (PDF)

 

setting up your call

OTN invite and app setup

Setting up your video virtual visit can sometimes be confusing, so here are some detailed step-by-step instructions for setting this up on your end.

You’ll receive an email invitation from “OTN No Reply” (email address is do-not-reply-otninvite@otn.ca)

It will look something like this:

If you’re going to use a computer or a laptop for your video visit, it’s fairly easy and straight forward. You don’t have to download any special Apps, and you can simply use your internet browser for the video visit

When the time comes to start your virtual visit, simply open the original invitation email and click the blue button that says “Start eVisit”.

If you’re going to use a smartphone (i.e. iPhone or other cell phone) or a tablet (i.e. iPad or any android tablet), you’ll need to download a special App for your video visit. 

You can either lick the link in the email to download the App, or you can search for it in your phone’s app store. 

Please make sure to do this before your scheduled virtual visit.

If you click the link in the email, the App Store will open on your phone and you can download the app from there.

When your app is done downloading, do NOT open it right away. To open your video visit, you need to go back and click START from your original email invitation.

 

starting the visit

Whether you’re using a smartphone, tablet or computer, you’ll need to go back to the original invitation email.

This opens your internet browser as follows:

You will then be asked to confirm you want to open, as shown here:

The App then opens and the patient sees own face on video screen

Some people think that when they see this, it means you’re ready for the visit here, and are waiting for us. A bit misleading, but not the case! Just a few more steps are required to join the visit. 

The screen then appears as below. If the video and audio icons are not visible, you’ll need to tap the screen to make them appear.

When the video icons are visible, you’ll need to click on the video icon. 

Then it should ask you to confirm permission to use the phone’s microphone and/or camera.

Then finally, when you’re all ready for the visit, the “waiting for host” message will appear and you can wait for us to join.

 

turning on speakerphone

If you’re not using headphones, sometimes the audio on your phone will not automatically turn on the speakerphone. You’ll just need to do a few more clicks to turn it on, starting with the small keypad logo on the right side of the toolbar.

Click on the “Select media devices” button in the Control section.

Find the “headset” option, and click on that.

Then make sure you’ve selected “Speaker”.

If you go back to media devices, it should now say “Speaker”.

And you should be good to go!

 

feedback form

Tell us what you think! If you have things that you liked or disliked, any suggestions or questions about using this system for your virtual visit, you can leave an anonymous message below to tell us about them.

Please don’t leave us any identifying information such as your name, who your appointment was with, or other personal/private info.