Virtual care and communication

Virtual care delivery, improving health literacy, effective communication and shared decision making are important aspects of providing patient-centred care.

Virtual care

Virtual care is any interaction between a consumer and clinicians, or between clinicians, that occurs remotely using technology. It provides an easy way to connect and share information with patients, their loved ones, carers and other clinicians across multiple locations, and is a key enabler of integrated care. It can be used with the team across the public and private sectors.

For people experiencing severe or complex menopause symptoms, their journey may incorporate in-person as well as virtual care that reflects clinical need, individual factors and access to technology.

Resources

Virtual care in practice guide
Information, resources and training links to support healthcare providers to implement and deliver virtual care. Includes consumer considerations, platforms, implementation guidance, practical advice on technology and equipment, education and key contacts.
Source: Agency for Clinical Innovation

Health literacy

Health literacy relates to how people access, understand and use health information in ways that benefit their health. People with low health literacy are at higher risk of worse health outcomes and poorer health behaviours.¹

Resources

Consumer enablement guide: Health literacy
Information about measuring and improving health literacy.
Source: Agency for Clinical Innovation

Shared decision making

Shared decision making involves discussion and collaboration between a consumer and their healthcare provider. It aims to bring together the consumer's values, goals and preferences with the best available evidence about benefits, risks and uncertainties of treatment, to reach the most appropriate individual healthcare decisions.

Shared decision making is an important part of person-centred care, especially given menopause can include a wide range of symptoms and change over a period of years.

Resources

Partnering with consumers: Shared decision making
A range of resources and tools to support shared decision making in clinical practice.
Source: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC)

Finding your way
A shared decision making model and resources to guide Aboriginal people and their healthcare professionals to make decisions together.
Source: Agency for Clinical Innovation

Consumer enablement guide: shared decision making
Information and tools about shared decision making.
Source: Agency for Clinical Innovation

My Health Learning resources

The following education modules on communication and virtual care are available to NSW Health staff on the My Health Learning platform (login required):

• Introducing virtual care in consumer conversations
• Establish a confident telepresence in a virtual care environment
• Health literacy and teach-back
• Communicating during challenging situations
• Communication techniques to influence behaviour change

For more on verbal and written communication skills, search for "communication and relationships" on My Health Learning.

References