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A
- App or application − A software program that is downloaded from an app store onto a mobile device.
- Appointment − An arrangement for an individual to meet another person such as their healthcare provider.
- Attachment − An attachment is a file such as a pdf, image, video or word document that can be sent through an email, text message or chat box.
- Audio settings − The sound or audio settings of the device (speaker, microphone, headphones) you are using.
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B
- Bandwidth − The maximum amount of data sent over an internet connection per second. Bandwidth indicates the quality of your internet connection.
- Browser (Internet or Web) − A program that provides a way to view information on the world wide web (www). Examples are Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox.
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C
- Carer − An individual who provides care or assistance to a family member or friend who needs support physically, mentally or financially.
- Clinical care − Healthcare provided by a trained doctor, nurse or allied health provider that supports the person's healthcare needs.
- Consultation − A meeting that takes place with a healthcare provider.
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) − A term used to describe people living in Australia who were born overseas, or people living in Australia who have parents or grandparents born overseas and are from non-English speaking or non-Western countries.
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D
- Data usage − The amount of data your device uses. This is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB).
- Demographics − The basic information of a person, such as date of birth, gender, ethnicity/race and marital status.
- Device − The tool that is used to access healthcare, such as a computer, tablet or mobile phone. Technology has advanced and some wearable or remote monitoring devices can be used to send medical information to an app for it to be monitored remotely.
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E
- Electronic prescription − A digital version of a paper prescription/script. During the consultation, the healthcare provider can send the electronic prescription (or E-script) to the consumer as an SMS or email. The consumer can use this to collect the prescribed medications from the chemist or pharmacist.
- eMR (Electronic Medical Record) − In NSW, the eMR is a digital version of a person's medical record.
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G
- Gigabyte (GB) − A measurement used to measure the volume of digital information downloaded also referred to data usage. 1GB is equal to 1000 MB.
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H
- Hospital in the Home − Clinical care that is provided to consumers in their homes. This care can reduce the length of stay in hospital or in some instances can avoid admission altogether. A range of clinical conditions can be effectively and safely managed without a person needing to stay in hospital.
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I
- In-person − Going to a place to see a person rather than speaking to them on the phone, emailing or writing to them.
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M
- Megabyte (MB) − A measurement used to measure the volume of digital information downloaded also referred to data usage. You need 1000MB to 1GB.
- Mobile data − Data is used anytime you connect to the internet on a computer or mobile device. A data plan is purchased from a communications provider such as Telstra or Optus.
- Modality − The way or mode in which something exists or is done, i.e. care can be delivered through a virtual modality or in-person modality.
- Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) − When a range of healthcare providers, from one or more organisations, work together to deliver clinical care.
- Multidisciplinary virtual consultation − A virtual consultation where multiple healthcare providers of different specialties deliver care virtually. For example, a video call between a general practitioner, physiotherapist and a consumer.
- My Health Record or eHR − A national electronic health record is a safe and secure place to keep your health information. It contains health information from public and private providers all in one place. It can include a range of medical information such as allergies, medications, test results, immunisation and discharge summaries.
- myVirtualCare − A videoconferencing platform used to deliver clinical care.
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P
- Participants − The individuals who take part in the healthcare consultation.
- PDF − Portable Document Format, a file format.
- Pexip − A videoconferencing platform used to deliver clinical care.
- Platform − The software being used for a video consultation between health consumers, healthcare providers and other participants to connect. There are multiple different platforms available, such as myVirtualCare, Pexip and Microsoft Teams.
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R
- Real time − The actual time when a process or event occurs. For example, in the context of virtual care this could be a telephone call or a videoconference.
- Remote patient monitoring − Using technology to collect and send clinical data to an app, device or service.
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S
- Store and forward − Uploading a consumer record or a digital photo for a distant provider to review at another time. The technology is used often in dermatology and other specialties.
- System requirements − The required settings for electronic devices to be able to connect successfully to a virtual consultation. For example, using the correct web browser and compatible smartphone. Always check the system requirements of the platform you will be using.
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T
- Telehealth − Accessing healthcare using technology. This is also known as virtual care or you may see the word tele in front of specialty areas, e.g. telemedicine, telestroke, teledentistry, etc.
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U
- URL link − A url address or a link is provided to connect to your healthcare providers for your virtual or telehealth appointment. The link is unique for the clinical service and can be shared with your loved ones, carers and other providers if they will be attending the appointment. This is also known as a patient link, consumer link or external participant link. The link can be sent through email, phone or text message.
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V
- Video settings − The camera or video settings of the device (webcam or inbuilt camera in a smart phone, tablet or laptop) used for an appointment.
- Videoconference − A tool that supports the connection of two or more people using video, allowing all parties to see and hear each other.
- Virtual care − Also known as telehealth, virtual care is the use of technology in clinical care. Virtual care can include video calls, phone calls, store and forward, and remote monitoring.
- Virtual consultation − A consultation that takes place through videoconferencing technology.
- Virtual hospital − A service or a range of services provided by healthcare providers that are clinically safe to deliver into a person's home.
- Virtual waiting room − The online area where you wait for your healthcare provider to arrive.
- Virtually − Involving technology, such as a tablet, phone or computer.