Five tips for better screen care

An online meeting tool is not comparable to sophisticated specialised screen care applications. The capabilities offered by these types of healthcare platforms are made for and by healthcare. Everything is designed to make the practitioner and patient experience the video consultation as a physical appointment. Indeed, in many cases, an online video consultation exceeds the capabilities of an on-site appointment. In this article, we look at a number of features that enable better digital care. All of these capabilities can be found in Webcamconsult's online care platform.

An online meeting tool cannot be compared to sophisticated specialised screen care applications. The capabilities offered by these types of healthcare platforms are made for and by healthcare. Everything is designed to make the practitioner and patient experience the video consultation as a physical appointment. Indeed, in many cases, an online video consultation exceeds the capabilities of an on-site appointment. In this article, we look at a number of features that enable better digital care. All of these capabilities can be found in Webcamconsult's online care platform.

1. Advanced online waiting room:

   In this, patients go to a patient portal. This contains the online waiting room with an option to chat (with the assistant or practitioner). Also, if necessary, the necessary forms can already be filled in and all scheduled appointments can be seen.
   While waiting, it is possible to display information so that the patient starts the video consultation well informed. This can be done by adding a video, audio or text. For patients who have to wait a little longer, there is an option to view a digital reading folder while waiting. Just like the reading folder in the physical waiting room, only online. The waiting room can be used simultaneously by several practitioners. Whoever becomes free can 'call in' and speak to the patient.

2. Online walk-in consultation:

   This allows patients to take a seat without an appointment in the digital waiting room of an available practitioner or practitioners (division by department is possible). This is a perfect replacement for appointments where no physical examination is required. Read more.

3. Subtitling:

   A new development in the field of screen care is real-time translation of spoken text. Healthcare is becoming increasingly international and the composition of the Dutch population is becoming more diverse due to internationalisation. Language can create barriers during treatment. Fortunately, there is a solution for this in the form of a real-time translation function (over 30 languages). Via subtitles or a text box, the practitioner or patient can see exactly what the conversation is about. Treating a patient in Mexico from the Netherlands? No problem. If your practitioner does not speak Spanish, the real-time translation ensures an easy-to-follow video consultation. The subtitles are also great for the deaf and hard of hearing; in the Netherlands, you then set Dutch as the language for practitioner and patient. Read more.

4. Direct online payment:

   In some cases, care is not covered by insurance. Then it is convenient if the video consultation can be paid for directly (e.g. for foreign patients). This is possible nowadays and is fast, safe and easy. The patient receives a payment link through which the consultation can be paid immediately.

5. Settable privacy:

   Patients' data should never end up in the hands of malicious people, or at all with people who have nothing to do with it. It is therefore possible to create a strict separation between departments and/or practitioners regarding access to patient data. It is also possible to set the retention period of patient data, after which it is securely deleted. Thus, as a healthcare institution, you are completely AVG-proof.