Virtual care and NSW Paediatric Rehabilitation Services

This fact sheet is to help you decide between a virtual or a face-to-face appointment. It's important you discuss the decision with your rehabilitation team and decide the best option together.

What is virtual care?

Virtual care, sometimes called telehealth, is the use of phone or video calls to connect with your rehabilitation team. It means you don't always have to go to the hospital or a clinic to see your rehabilitation team.

Just like a regular appointment, both you AND your child attend the appointment together.

Where can you use virtual care?

Virtual care can occur in different places. Usually, you are at home and you link to the rehabilitation team via your computer, phone or tablet. Sometimes you might join from your family doctor or local therapist’s office.

Why use virtual care?

• Reduce travel time and travel costs
• Reduce accommodation costs if you live far away
• Less change to family routines, such as missing work and school
• Your child’s local therapy and medical teams can join in the appointment, if you’d like them to.

What do I need for virtual care?

• A computer or tablet device with a working camera and microphone.
• Reliable internet and enough data. You can test your internet speed. An upload and download speed of over 2Mbps is needed for virtual care.
• A quiet location where the appointment can take place without interruption. Both you and your child need to be there.

Choosing between virtual care and going in person

• Is it the first time seeing the rehabilitation team? In person is usually better for the first appointment.
• Does my child need to be seen in person by the team to look at and understand a problem they are having, or results of a treatment?
• Does my child have other appointments at the hospital that day?
• Is my child able to follow instructions and communicate with the team online?
• Who do you want involved in the appointment?

How do I discuss using virtual care for my child’s appointment?

Call your rehabilitation team. Tell them you would like to talk about using virtual care for your appointment.

Acknowledgement

This fact sheet was adapted from information provided by the NSW Paediatric Rehabilitation Services.