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Virtual physical exam tips

To assist with your physical exam, instruct patients to situate their devices using the following tips:

  1. To avoid backlighting, instruct patient to avoid sitting with their back against a window
  2. Have patient prop up device to keep their hands free during the exam

System-based virtual physical exam:

From Benziger CP, Huffman MD, Sweis RN, Stone NJ. The Telehealth Ten: A Guide for a Patient-Assisted Virtual Physical Examination. Am J Med. 2021;134(1):48-51. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.06.015

Identifying appropriate patients for telemedicine

Ideal candidates for telemedicine:

  • Are medically stable
  • Have clinical complaints and conditions able to be assessed via interactive audio and video technologies
  • Have access to a mobile device or desktop computer with broadband internet service
  • Have a support person to assist if necessary

Troubleshooting with patients

Troubleshooting with patients

Instruct patients to do the following to get visits back on track after technical difficulties:

Connectivity issues

  • Switch from WiFi to cellular network or hotspot, if able
  • Restart internet router + modem

You can’t hear patient

  • Ensure not muted
  • Check that the correct microphone is selected for use in BlueJeans settings

You can’t see patient

  • Ensure camera is turned on
  • Check that the correct camera is selected for use in BlueJeans settings

Other issues

  • Hang up on all active phone calls and close all other applications
  • Leave visit, restart device, then rejoin the visit
  • Update internet browser (if not using BlueJeans app)
  • Connect with a different device (can use Switchboard messaging services to send visit link to a different email or phone number)

Link to patient-facing instructions

Patient-facing instructions for telemedicine are linked in every message a patient receives before their telehealth visit, and can be found here.

Patient is struggling to find link or join visit

You may encounter instances where your patient cannot access the BlueJeans link they were sent in advance of their visit OR you and the patient may be in different rooms.

These issues can almost always be resolved by manually sending the patient their virual visit link through Switchboard's "Join Now" message. This message includes the meeting link and can be sent instantly to the patient via email and text message.

To use this function:

1. Click the "Send and view pt messages" button in Switchboard under the appropriate appointment.

2. Select the "Join Now" message template. If needed, you can customize the message.

3. When ready, select the "Send" button.

Note: You will notice this warning for patients who already received automated messages through SMS with the meeting link (which you can disregard in these cases): 

This warning helps prevent over-messaging outside of these troubleshooting scenarios.