How many times have you planned a session, only for that plan to go right out the door within the first five minutes of a session? But did you ever regret planning? Heck, no! That time that you took to plan allowed you to review your client, prep for scenarios and mentally prepare. This happens to us all. The ability to think on your feet and navigate obstacles is a huge part of a rehab practitioners job.
In Telehealth, there are similar inevitable factors that we must prepare for. While we love the ease that technology can bring, it is not without it’s inevitable frustrations and technical blurbs. To set you and your clients up for success, you can eliminate many simple technological barriers by having a good understanding of the Telehealth platform you are using. With Therabyte, you can take advantage of our easy-to-use tools and convenient features that simplify the Telehealth process for all providers. Here are some main points you should be aware of in order to have a successful session with Therabyte video conferencing – TB meet:
Know the basics
Success in any platform will come from having a good understanding of the software. In order to effectively provide treatment, you must be familiar with the features that Therabyte offers:
- Create and join 1:1 and group calls
- Co-treats with practitioners who have common clients
- Two-way screen-sharing, during which you can see yourself and the client
- 3rd party whiteboard – awww.app
- Annotation during screen-sharing
- Third-party access to video session
- Review the videos in our “Getting started with TB meet” series.
- Review our troubleshooting guides here.
Prepare your tools
Before each session, go through the check list to ensure that your hardware, software, and physical environment are ready to go:
- Be sure the basic programs on your computer are up-to-date
- Install the latest version of Chrome on your computer
- Download the companion app, Jitsi Meet, for your other devices
- Use a headset with a microphone to filter outside noise
- Keep your troubleshooting guides handy if you need to reference them during a session – you can find them here.
- Close out all other applications and try to limit the wifi usage by others in your home
- For the best video lighting, ensure that sunlight is front facing and not back lighting you, consider shutting the curtains and use an overhead light with a desk lamp (if needed)
- Put away any personal items or move them out of the camera’s angle
- Remember keyboard shortcuts to allow for easy navigation between client charts, video feed, or screen-share!
- Page right: CTRL + OPT + CMMD + >
- Page left: CTRL + OPT + CMMD + <
Have the joining procedure down to a science
Once you know the ins and outs of Therabyte, you have to be prepared to guide your clients through the process clearly and effectively. You can use this video to get them familiar with what a call looks like on their end. Plan a trial session, where you can call them on the phone and walk them through getting online for the first time. Here are the steps to get them “session ready”:
- Ensure their computer is up-to-date with the resources in the prepare your tools section above
- Send clients the account set-up email so they can create their password
- Walk them through a set-up session where they can test out features.
- Empower them to ask questions and learn all they need to know!
- Teach them the tools they will need to know for basic sessions, including screen-sharing, turning video and audio on and off, etc.
By following this guide, providers will set their clients up for a successful telehealth sessions with Therabyte. Therabyte’s convenient, user-friendly platform will maximize your experience with telehealth and encourage a positive client experience. If you haven’t signed up yet, do that today and learn what makes Therabyte different from the rest!
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Here is a sample Telehealth Consent Form for Occupational Therapists.
This blog post was written in collaboration with Brittany Ferri, OTR/L, CPRP. In addition to being a telehealth specialist and health writer, Brittany is the founder of Simplicity of Health, LLC where she provides health education and a range of other services for individuals of all ages.
