What is Virtual Care?

Because of COVID-19, a lot of people are currently self-isolating at home, preventing them from receiving the care they need the way they normally would - by traveling to a clinic to see a clinician in person. Still, in this difficult period, it’s important to continue taking care of our physical and mental health.  

To remove accessibility and mobility barriers, Lifemark offers Virtual Care, which uses secure and private video conference technology to allow you to see a healthcare provider remotely. This means you can consult a Lifemark clinician in the comfort of your own home. 

Some of the services we offer through Virtual Care include physiotherapy services, occupational therapy services, psychology services, office ergonomic evaluations, vocational assessments and services, exercise therapy services and more, and we are consistently adding new types of services. Our clinicians can evaluate your range of motion, give you advice on pain and pain management, recommend specific exercises, review your exercise progression, give you advice on the level of activity you should be doing and more. 

How it works 

So, how does it work? To connect with a clinician through Virtual Care, all you need is a laptop, a smartphone (Android or iPhone) or a tablet (such as an iPad) with a camera and a microphone. No software installation is required and you don’t need to create or configure an account. 

To schedule a Virtual Care appointment, ask our team members at your clinic about using Virtual Care for your appointment. Our team will evaluate your needs and set up an appointment if we believe the service you require can be delivered effectively online.  

Prior to your appointment, you’ll receive by email a link to your appointment session. This will enable an audio and video connection between you and your clinician. To ensure you are ready for your appointment, you should test ahead of time your access to the video conference platform using the link you have received by email. 

How Virtual Care differs from in-person services 

You can expect the same level of care and professionalism for Virtual Care services as you would for in-person services. Our clinicians are required to meet the same regulatory and legislative requirements and adhere to their respective Standards of Practice and Code of Conduct, just as they are for in-person services. 

Lifemark also protects your privacy through safeguards and robust policies. We have strict privacy and information security policies and procedures in place that determine how we manage information when using electronic communication technologies. 

At the beginning of a Virtual Care session, your clinician will review your ID, obtain consent to participate in the session via the electronic communications platform and will then proceed with the assessment or treatment in a similar manner as for an in-person appointment. This includes discussing your medical history, concerns and current status. Any questions you have about Virtual Care can be addressed during the session. 

A convenient way to receive Lifemark services 

With Virtual Care, you can consult a Lifemark clinician from your own home.

For more information about Virtual Care, check out our introduction video, the Virtual Care section on Lifemark.ca or call us at 1-855-485-1344.