Ontario Telemedicine Network
INFORMATION ABOUT TELEMEDICINE FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES
Your doctor has referred you to a health care professional in another location. You can meet with this person over video conference (a service also called telemedicine or telehealth). This fact sheet explains what telemedicine is and why it may be a good choice for you and your family.
What is a telemedicine clinic?
What is a telemedicine clinic?A telemedicine clinic uses cameras and televisions to connect you to doctors and other health professionals over a distance, reducing the need to travel to receive care.
When you have an appointment at a telemedicine clinic, you will be able to see, hear and talk to a doctor or other health professional via two-way television.
What happens at a telemedicine appointment?
A telemedicine appointment is much like a regular check up, only the health professional you will be seeing and talking to is on a television screen.
Before you arrive for your appointment, the person who will examine you will already have some information about you. In addition, you may be asked to bring test results or xrays with you to the appointment.
Once you have checked in at Medical Records, you may be asked to change into a gown, depending upon the type of examination you require.
An individual who has been trained in telemedicine will bring you into the examination room, show you the equipment and explain how it works. You may ask any questions that you have. After you have been provided with the details about your appointment, you will be asked for your consent to proceed.
Who is with me during a consultation?
In most consultations, a telemedicine professional will be with you during the examination. Your family doctor or other health professional may also attend.
Who will be examining me?
The health professional you will see will be located at another site that is a member of the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN).
OTN has hundreds of health professionals providing care in more than 80 specialty services across the province.
How long does a telemedicine appointment take?
A telemedicine appointment can run anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the type of appointment and whether or not you have seen the health professional before.
Is telemedicine private?
Your telemedicine appointment will be private and confidential. The appointment can only be seen and heard by those directly involved.
What about my "Personal Health Information"?
We understand that your health information is important to you and that it must be protected.
"Personal Health Information" is any information that can identify you and link you to the health services that you have received. This includes your name, address, telephone number, health card number, examination or laboratory results, the name of the health professional you will be seeing, and the reason for the visit.
