Telehealth Tips: Things You Can Still Do
Promote
Healthy
Behavior
Change
- Encourage families to work on healthy behaviors together.
- Refer to Connect for Health Handouts, including content for stressful times.
-
Enroll families in text messaging campaign.
(Messaging is consistent with COVID-19 recommendations)
Order Referrals and Laboratory Tests
Pediatric specialists, such as endocrinologists or gastroenterologists, are available to care for children. Other services like mental health specialists, nutrition, pediatric weight management programs and lab services (if appropriate) are available too. Remind families that calling each clinician’s office is the best way to determine if a virtual visit or an in-person visit is best for their individual circumstances. When in-person care or labs are indicated, discuss with families that unprecedented steps are being taken to ensure everyone’s safety when coming into the hospital, clinics and labs. Some examples include widespread screening, enhanced cleaning protocols and rearrangement of spaces to allow for physical distancing.
Share Resources with Families
TIPS AND RESOURCES
For telephone visits:
Use frequent empathic statements and smile even if the patient can’t see you.
For video visits:
Raise the webcam to eye level and make sure your face is centered on the screen
Resource:
The National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers website has a variety of resources that may be useful for your telehealth practice.