Elements to consider for a virtual appointment

Your health care provider has offered you Telehealth services in order to consult with him remotely from home. To ensure a high-quality session, this page lists the minimum technological requirements as well as best practices.

Minimum requirements

To participate in a consultation at home, you need:

• A desktop computer, a portable computer, a Tablet or a Smartphone;
• A Web camera (integrated in the case of mobile devices);
• A microphone and speakers (usually integrated in devices);
• High-speed Internet access (minimum speed of 10 Mbit/s).

Precautions

A remote consultation session can last 30 minutes, on average. It therefore consumes an important quantity of Internet data. If you plan to participate in numerous monthly sessions, make sure your Internet data plan is adequate.

Technical problems with the audio and video feed or with the Internet connection can occur during a session. To avoid some of these problems, we recommend connecting 15 minutes prior to the start time of your session and test your sound and image.

It is possible that your session will be held by telephone or even postponed if technical issues cannot be resolved quickly. Have your telephone close by, as your health professional may call you to resolve these problems or have the remaining of the consultation over the phone.

Preparing the environment at home

Certain conditions relating to the environmental and the technological equipment used will facilitate the conduct of a virtual meeting. Be sure to set up these conditions before you start your session.

Ambient noise

Your microphone captures your voice, but also the noise around you. Make sure to set yourself up in a quiet space.

For example, avoid placing a fan near the microphone, having the television on or be near people who are speaking. All these noises can make it difficult for the health professional to hear properly.

Internet usage

If you have any doubts about the speed of your Internet plan, make sure you are the only person in your household using the internet connection during your session. In fact, listening to music or streaming videos at the same time can alter the performance of your audiovisual session.

Ambient light

In order to be visible to the health professional, make sure your Web camera is not facing a window. If necessary, close the curtains or blinds and turn on the lights in the room.

Speakers or Head phones

We highly recommend using headphones for the best sound quality. Even if you’re in a quiet space, speakers can produce feedback during the session. If you use speakers, make sure they are not facing the microphone and that the volume is not too high.

Web camera

The camera is integrated in mobile devices (Tablets and Smartphones) and sometimes in the PC screen or portable computer. Otherwise, an external camera will be required. Most reasonably-priced Web cameras provide an acceptable resolution for a standard remote consultation.