Embedding virtual care into
clinical practice
We are supporting the health system to use technology to safely connect health professionals with patients, to ensure care is delivered when and where it is needed.
“We can now say, virtual care is care – it is a viable, ongoing option for clinicians and the community.”
Dr Jean-Frederic Levesque, Chief Executive, ACI and Dr Zoran Bolevich, Chief Executive, eHealth
Connecting to Country
In October 2021, the ACI launched its Aboriginal artwork by Lizzy Stageman. It depicts virtual care as a way to access healthcare close to home (on Country) and getting the right care at the right time.
The artwork is being used on resources, merchandise and digital media to highlight a culturally appropriate connection for Aboriginal people engaging in virtual care.
Accelerating the uptake of virtual care
NSW Health initiated the Virtual Care Accelerator – a cross-agency initiative to build on the momentum gained in the uptake of virtual care during the pandemic.
- The ACI partnered with eHealth NSW to develop the technology and technical expertise needed to increase the capability of the health system to adopt virtual care more rapidly.
- We facilitated engagement among clinical networks and consumers, through the Telehealth Capability Interest Group and Virtual Care Community of Practice.
- Launched the Spotlight on virtual care series, including 13 reports and two videos for health staff to learn from existing virtual care models.
- Supported education and training, including redesign capability workshops.
- Partnered with the Health Education and Training Institute to pilot a webinar ‘Thriving in the Virtual Frame’. Almost 450 NSW health staff learnt how to engage, build rapport, and demonstrate empathy in a virtual environment.
Supporting the use of virtual care technology
The ACI led the implementation of the myVirtualCare (myVC) videoconferencing platform.
- Enables patients, carers and healthcare providers to access and manage care from various locations.
- Features a two-way chat with the capacity for screen sharing and sending files and images.
- More than 60 resources developed to support all users.
From 31 August 2020 to 30 September 2021:
- 6,743 myVirtualCare training modules were delivered to NSW Health staff
- 8,352 clinicians have provided care using myVirtualCare
- 112,195 consultations have occurred​
- 686 virtual consultation rooms​ established
- 302 interpreter room connections​.
500
% increase in use of myVirtualCare between June and August 2021
A central source of clinical information and resources
The ACI launched Virtual Care Central — a SharePoint site providing a central hub for clinicians to access information and resources to support the integration of virtual care into their clinical practice. It showcases:
- virtual clinical services
- comprehensive patient and clinical resources
- key contacts
- news and events
- Virtual Care Exchange, a register of clinical services that use technology to enable care.
