Leading Edge is proud to introduce Telemedicine services in the form of TelePhysio and TeleOT to our patients and all Albertans as a response to the unique challenges posed by Covid19 and the pandemic that we are all facing.
what is Leading Edge TeleREHAB?
As the name suggests ‘tele’ refers to ‘over distance’ and the initial method of communication was the telephone. Nowadays, high speed connections and web cameras mean that the ability to perform thorough assessments and guiding treatments remotely is extremely viable and highly effective. TeleREHAB is the delivery of rehabilitation services over telecommunication networks and the internet. It includes video and voice conferencing as well as the ability for us to share exercise program prescription via secure file transfer services.
I’ve read enough… I’m ready to book!
we are offering three types of services:
- clinical assessment: Assessment of your functional abilities, concerns, and movement issues while you remain in your own environment,
- Tele-Physio: Injury advice, pain management, exercise prescription and self management strategies while you remain in your own environment and
- Tele-OT: Ergonomics, concussion care – cognitive rehabilitation as well as activity and/or home adaptation advice.
Injury, pain, pelvic health, vestibular and concussion management services have been provided via telemedicine for years. Essentially, once you enter our virtual waiting room, you will be connected to your physiotherapist or occupational therapist via your smartphone, tablet or computer. To get there, you will receive a link that is emailed to you, you will click the link, sign in with your full name and we will be there to open the session. There is no need to download any software, you simply will click a link to enter the appointment.
what are the limitations of a TeleRehab session?
There are certainly limits to what we can do in a TeleRehab session. Physical and Occupational therapists will often use hands on skills to both assess and treat a patient. Since TeleRehab creates an obvious barrier to that portion of the assessment or treatment, there will be inherent limitations to the clinical effectiveness of the session.
but we can still…
We can still offer quite a bit of knowledge from a consultation. Often, from your history, observation and objective tests (self performed), information can be consolidated to give you a reasonable diagnosis for which we can work from. From that same information, a reasonable treatment plan which can include self management advice, stretches, strength exercises, self mobilization and other home strategies can be provided.
Studies have shown that telerehabilitation is a valid and reliable method to both assess and treat a variety of orthopaedic and neurological conditions.
I’m so excited… I’m ready to book!
what are the advantages?
There are several advantages to this type of appointment. Most notably during times such as when a patient is fearful to leave their environment, physically unable to leave their environment (due to physical restrictions or presently due to quarantine), or when one of our experts might offer you their expertise and they live at a great distance.
what do you need?
- You need a computer or phone with internet capabilities, a forward camera and microphone (usually built into your device)
- You require an internet connection
- No downloads or accounts. There is NO need to download software or create an account. Just use a browser on a computer or device with a camera and microphone.
- Please wear loose fitting clothes, shorts for lower extremity, tank top for upper extremity
what services are you offering and how long will a consultation be?
- Basic Tele-Physio or Tele-OT Assessment: 30 minutes (One body site)
- Basic Treatment: 15 minutes (One body site)
- Complex Treatment: 30 minutes (multiple sites and vestibular rehabilitation)
- MVA Treatment: 30 minutes (One body site)
- Tele-Pelvic Health Physio Assessment: 45 mins
- Tele-Pelvic Health Physio Treatment: 30 mins
- Tele-Ergonomic Evaluation: 15 minutes (Includes Report)
- Cognitive Rehabilitation: 60 minutes
We have modified our fee schedule to make our services more readily available to Albertan’s who are unable to access services. Many insurance companies are recognizing that this is an essential solution to today’s complex problems, however we are unable to guarantee reimbursement. Please check with your insurer. Contact us to discuss the fees for our services.
As with our normal visits, we may not be able to complete everything during one session and should this be the case, we will be happy to follow up as is usually necessary during a physiotherapy or occupational therapy treatment.
This is pretty awesome… I’m ready to book!
how it works – 1, 2, 3 its that easy:
Step One – contact us and request a TeleRehabilitation appointment by indicating it in the contact form.
Step Two – Our staff will contact you to arrange an appointment time, gather your information, discuss fees and arrange billing.
Step Three – An email will be sent to you which will include our consent form, intake forms and a link to click to enter our virtual office
The actual appointment will seem a lot like Facetime or any other videoconference except that it is encrypted for your privacy and safety. Further recommendations & exercises will be sent to you as quickly as possible. Follow–up appointments are then arranged with your physiotherapist. Yes it actually is that easy.
- We recommend that you log into our virtual waiting room about 5 minutes early.
- Ensure that you have a good wifi connection and that the room is quiet and free from distraction.
- If you are having difficulty joining our virtual waiting room, please call us immediately.
- You will have to ensure privacy on your end. We are unable to control who is in the room with you.
why leading edge?
We aren’t in a cloud. We are right here in Alberta. This gives us the opportunity to link directly with you if necessary and to follow up with you when the time is right. Situations that keep people at home are often destined to change. When that happens, we are here in person to care for you using the technology, hands on skills and environments that we are known for.
I still have a few questions… hey send us an email!
In order to utilize our TeleRehabilitation services, you will be asked to read and verbally acknowledge consent to undergo assessment, evaluation or treatment.
Informed Consent Expectations
Our Regulatory Body sets standards and requires that you will need to agree to:
- To receive services via telerehabilitation rather
than in person. - Consent to videotaping, recording or otherwise storing
information and data from the telerehabilitation
session. (Our platform does not store any information from the session) - Consent to the transmission of information via telerehabilitation technologies (Doxy.me).
- Consent for the participation of other health-care providers or your family in the provision of care. (If applicable)the presence of these individuals while delivering services.
Our consent form must be downloaded and read PRIOR to your initial visit. Verbal acknowledgement of this consent is required prior to any provision of service.
Nope… You will be sent a link which you simply click and you will be greeted at your appointment time. If we do not start the session right on time, please be patient as it may be due to another session extending into your timeline. You will receive the full time allotted for your session.
Doxy.me platform takes privacy and security very seriously. Through this platform, they implement state of the art security and encryption protocols to assure that data integrity and privacy is maintained.
As a result, Doxy.me complies with HIPAA, GDPR, PHIPA/PIPEDA, & HITECH requirements.
All data is encrypted, your sessions are anonymous, and none of your information is stored. We use the AES cipher with 128-bit keys to encrypt audio/video, and HMAC-SHA1 to verify data integrity.
The following steps should be done by you and your provider:
1. Use headphones
2. Reduce the volume of speakers
3. Move the microphone away from the speakers
1. Restart your computer: restart your computer before your first call.
2. Wifi: be close to your wifi router, make sure no other parties on the network are using up the bandwidth, and you don’t have a lot of browser windows open.
3. CPU/GPU usage: ensure no high intensity programs are running on the computer.
Not everyone is appropriate:
Just like in a clinic setting, not all people who are assessed by the physiotherapist are appropriate for physiotherapy treatment. Your physiotherapist will communicate with you if they feel that you need further assessment by a medical practitioner, need imaging, would benefit greater from seeing a physiotherapist in person, or would benefit from seeing a different therapist – either separately or in conjunction with the physiotherapist.
- Refresh your browser and ensure you have a good internet connection
- Log back into the virtual waiting room
- If you are still having difficulty connecting you will receive a prompt phone call from your therapist
- You will not be charged for sessions that are not completed due to connection issues or technical difficulties
