Virtual meeting with the Oncology nurse

This page is intended for cancer patients, particularly those followed by an oncology pivot nurse (OPN). Patients wishing to avail themselves of virtual meetings are invited to inform their OPN.

Patients already invited to a virtual meeting (teleconsultation) with an OPN can consult the page Participate in a teleconsultation as a patient to prepare for this meeting.

Description of the service

The role of the OPN is centred around four key functions: assessment, teaching/informing, supporting and coordinating. They offer their services both in person and remotely. The telephone is often used for remote follow-up and allows patients to contact their nurse spontaneously or on a scheduled basis. However, a video meeting (also named teleconsultation) can also be requested, both by the patient and the OPN.

The benefits of teleconsultation:

• Enables the nurse to better assess the patient’s condition and provide the necessary explanations and teaching;
• Facilitates the participation of caregivers, who can join the meeting from their own homes;
• Reduces the inconvenience associated with travel: time, costs and energy required;
• Facilitates collaboration with other professionals on the cancer team by enabling them to join the teleconsultation.

Technology used

The Microsoft Teams application is used to ensure exchanges through video calls. Access to teleconsultations is free of charge. Patients invited to a teleconsultation receive a link by email and log in with a computer or mobile device at the agreed time of the appointment.

Other technological measures are implemented in some institutions to facilitate access to telehealth for patients who do not have computer equipment or Internet access. Patients in this situation can find out about the availability of these measures from their oncology clinic.

Technical Support

For problems with the connection link or to cancel/change an appointment, contact the clinic or nurse who arranged the teleconsultation.

There is also a provincial support service for patients having a teleconsultation with a healthcare professional. Information and contact details for this service are available on the Technical support for patients page.

Tools and Documentation

The following video provides information and testimonials on the benefits of telehealth in follow-up with the OPN:

OPNs in the telehealth era – A success story (video in French) Les IPO à l’ère de la télésanté – témoignages de succès (6 min 15s)

For step-by-step information on how to prepare for a teleconsultation, please consult the following page:

Participate in a teleconsultation as a patient