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Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need for a telehealth appointment?

 

In order to participate in a telehealth appointment, it is recommended you have the following:

  • Smartphone, tablet or laptop equipped with a working camera and microphone

  • Reliable internet or cell phone coverage to support video conferencing

  • A private space that gives you the privacy to discuss your personal health information with your treating physiotherapist, as well as enough room to move around and perform tests and exercises as directed by your physiotherapist

 

What should I expect from a telehealth appointment?

 

We understand that telehealth is a new idea for a lot of people, and so it can seem a bit confusing as to what to expect.  A telehealth physiotherapy appointment will proceed very similar to an in-clinic appointment.  Your physiotherapist will perform the same subjective assessment/follow up as they would in clinic, you will be able to review and discuss your current home exercises, as well as be shown new ones from your physiotherapist.  We have made a helpful video to give people a better understanding of what to expect with a telehealth appointment.  Click HERE for the video.

 

What kinds of conditions can be treated through telehealth?

 

As physiotherapists, we realize that our most effective treatments are education and exercise.  While there may be effective hands-on or modality options for some conditions, the core components to treatment for most conditions will be education and exercise.  As such, most conditions can be successfully treated remotely via telehealth.  We will be providing some infographics on specific conditions that can be treated by telehealth below.

 

Telehealth for Post-Surgery

Telehealth for Tendon Pain

Telehealth for Back Pain

 

Does insurance cover telehealth appointments?

 

With the current COVID-19 pandemic going on, there has been a large increase in the demand for telehealth services.  To date the following insurers have confirmed they will be covering telehealth physiotherapy appointments:

- Worker Compensation Board of Nova Scotia

- Motor Vehicle Accident insurers

- Sun Life 

- Blue Cross

- Manulife

 

We are still waiting on further clarification from other insurance companies.  If your insurance provider is not listed above, it would be best to contact them first to see if telehealth physiotherapy would be covered.

 

What are the risks of telehealth?

 

Risks that are specific to telehealth revolve mostly around safety and privacy.  Regarding safety, it is important to have a safe space to attend your appointment, and that there are procedures in place to ensure the availability of help in the event of an emergency.  Regarding privacy of your health information, you should attend your appointment in a space that is private and allows you to discuss your health information privately with your physiotherapist.  It is recommended that you attend your telehealth appointment using a secure, password protected wireless network and avoid public or non-password protected networks if possible.

For More information on telehealth, take a look at the links below:

South Shore Physiotherapy Telehealth Consent Form

Telehealth Patient information

 

How do I book a telehealth appointment?

 

Telehealth appointments can be booked via email at info@southshorephysio.ca, calling our clinic at (902) 530-3553, or by filling out a contact form HERE

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