Ensure the background is tidy and suitable for the occasion (i.e. not too formal or informal).
Remove any distracting photographs or other items. It helps to have some neutral items, such as paintings or plants. This can assist the consumer to focus within the screen. If the background is completely clear, their focus will move from you (clinician) to outside of the screen. For example, they may look out of their window and there is nothing to bring their eyes back to the screen.
If there is a door in your background, acknowledge it and advise what steps you have taken to maintain privacy, such as using a headset. If there is a door in the consumer’s background, you can ask if there is anyone else home. This enables you to anticipate if anyone else may come through unexpectedly.
Blurred and virtual backgrounds
Clinicians should only use the blur background functionality or a virtual background functionality if a private space is not available or attainable.
With a blurred background, the clinician is the main focus, but the background is not fully hidden.
With a virtual background, the actual background is completely hidden and replaced with an image. If a virtual background is used, ensure it maintains professional standards. The virtual care manager or lead can provide approved options.
Considerations when using blurred and virtual backgrounds
- If a consumer uses a blurred or virtual background, it can make it difficult to observe important clinical aspects of the consumer’s room/setting and assess their environment, security and privacy. For example, whether there are other people in the room or any recording devices present.
- Image bleeding can occur when the technology cannot accurately distinguish and isolate the precise dimensions of a person’s image from the background. Image bleeding may vary, depending on the clothing or skin tone of participants; if they are wearing glasses or headsets; and the choice of background.
- Technology is designed to recognise faces and bring them to the front as the main focus. However, when using virtual backgrounds with multiple people, the technology may have difficulty recognising faces.
- Blurred and virtual backgrounds consume more bandwidth and may affect the processing capacity of the device. This can reduce the quality of the image.
- Using backgrounds may affect how well you can engage and build rapport with the consumer.
- If you are using banners, virtual backgrounds and other devices, explain to all participants how their privacy will be maintained.