Virtual Care

13 Apr 2022 admin

How to Introduce Seniors to Virtual Healthcare

With more people spreading the news about the benefits of virtual healthcare, it would only make sense that many seniors or family members of seniors are intrigued by all that it can offer. After all, for people with mobility issues or other difficulties with travelling, virtual care makes it that much easier and to access healthcare. With almost half of all older patients saying they prefer virtual care visits, it’s worth a shot to try it out yourself, or show a senior in your life how they can benefit from virtual care themselves. Let’s go over some of the best ways to convince a senior in your life to try out virtual care, as well as some tips for virtual visits

Promote Awareness of Technologies for Virtual Care for Seniors

It’s an outdated cliché that seniors are by definition adverse to technology—we all know seniors who Facetime, search the internet, use Siri, etc. In other words, seniors are more technologically literate than they are given credit for. That said, when it comes to having an online meeting with a doctor, it does make sense that there’s a bit of apprehension for some seniors. They may question the security, efficacy of using the technology, complications due to the technology, etc. Luckily, modern virtual care technology has largely resolved all these issues, being fast, secure, and easy to use. By introducing seniors to the technology beforehand and acclimating them to exactly how the virtual care visit will go (which will be explained in detail by the virtual care clinic), it will take a lot of the guesswork and worry out of a visit with virtual doctors in Ontario.

Plan for Telehealth Appointments

This piggybacks off of the preceding tip for virtual visits. But it’s best to plan for these appointments beforehand. Whether that means testing out the technology before the appointment, being in the room to help a senior loved one if needed, or just making sure they have a comfy chair to sit on with good lighting. Putting in that prep time can take away a lot of that uncertainty, putting the patient at ease and helping the process run smoothly. It’s also a good idea to have medical documents on hand in case your doctor has questions about your medical history or prescription history.

Tell Them What to Expect from a Virtual Visit

This is a doctor’s appointment, not a thriller—we don’t want any surprises! The best way to account for these potential surprises is to ensure that you or the patient are informed of what to expect when the virtual care appointment begins. That means what technology to use, what buttons to press, how long they can expect to be on the call, how to receive prescriptions (if needed), etc. Again, a strong provider of virtual care for seniors will provide all this and better before the meeting itself. That said, it’s important to familiarize yourself or your family member with all the steps so they’re ready once the appointment begins. Both your time and the doctor’s time are precious, after all, and nobody wants to waste time on easily avoidable mix-ups.

Know Their Concerns and Hesitations about Virtual Health

It’s only natural that people have a bit of apprehension before meeting with virtual doctors in Ontario; it is new, after all. Addressing those concerns before the appointment is a great way to calm any nerves. This will help everything proceed without issue when the appointment starts.

Learn How to Book a Virtual Visit

Figuring out how to book is the obvious first step—and it’s not complicated at all! It’s extremely intuitive. For those who may not be familiar with booking online, there may be an opportunity here to teach the patient how—or at least walk them through it the first time. In any case, it’s often no more complicated than booking a concert ticket.

Virtual Care for Patients in Ontario from a Top Clinic

Virtual care for patients in Ontario offers many advantages over in-person visits, including:

• No traveling
• A wider range of doctors to select from
• The comfort of your own home during the appointment
• Easy way to store appointment notes
• Easily access prescriptions
• And more

With the above tips for virtual visits, you or your loved one should have no problem getting top-tier care from a leading provider of virtual care, like MD Connected. When you choose MD Connected as your healthcare provider, you’ll get personalized virtual care that will help you get the treatment you need for your symptoms. And you’ll have access to telemedicine clinics across Canada that are designed to help you feel better, faster. Tens of thousands of Canadians have already benefited from MD Connected, accessing general consultations, prescription renewal, sexual health, mental wellness, travel health, and sick notes and forms. Our team is led by a diverse group of doctors with varying backgrounds, and we provide our specialty services in multiple languages. To learn more about MD Connected, contact us by visiting www.mdconnected.ca or e-mail us at mydoc@mdconnected.ca.