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Section - Guide for Reducing Barriers to Virtual Healthcare (Section Home)
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Purpose of this document:
This document begins a list of barriers to virtual care as identified by first subject matter expert (Occupational Therapist) after review of initial scenarios from NRC. This is not a comprehensive list of barriers. Co-design activities will help to surface other barriers related to virtual care that are not immediately apparent from an initial assessment of the scenarios.
Equipment/Platform/Internet Barriers
- Not having access / availability to required equipment for virtual care i.e. current and compatible computer, smartphone, camera, speakers, mic
- Poor equipment quality affecting audio and video i.e. external mic and headset recommended for privacy and audio quality
- Unreliable internet affecting all aspects of the visit
- Differences with mobile and desktop platforms affecting access to features and navigation
- Not having the ability to choose from desktop or mobile apps for access
- Having access to a printer to print out documentation if needed for viewing and signing
Digital Literacy/ Digital Environment
- Reduced technical literacy of patient and clinician
- Inadequate orientation to virtual environment and virtual visit process i.e. setting patient expectations, need to have a waiting room / greeter to facilitate new patients
- Number of different virtual platforms being used imposes challenges to accessibility due to inconsistency and unfamiliarity
- Locating invitation in e-mail inboxes or requests in messages lists amongst other items
Privacy and Security of Data
- Privacy concerns related to the online exchange of personal and health related information may reduce use and acceptance of virtual platforms on both the patient and clinician side
- Lack of a private and quiet space on the patient side to conduct the virtual visit
Support
- Availability of caregiver assistance on the patient side (i.e. health care or tech support)
- Patients needing to configure and troubleshoot devices or apps
Task Requirements
- Difficulty positioning equipment for clinician to complete evaluation i.e. using video camera requires still hands, adequate lighting, portable camera
Inaccessible application
- Accessibility of apps being used in addition to the remote platform
- Interoperability of App with assistive Technology