Your clinician may offer video consultations
for patients living in rural & regional areas or where visiting our rooms is difficult.
to reduce transmission risks for COVID-19, influenza and other infectious diseases.
to provide flexibility for families and to better accommodate special needs.
where a provider, parent or child is otherwise unable to attend in-rooms due to isolation requirements, viral symptoms or other reasons
where clinically appropriate and a video appointment will substantially progress your child’s care
In all situations, your child must be present during the consultation.
Phone calls and emails
Phone calls and emails are not suitable formats for paediatric consultations. Your doctor may occasionally need to make a brief call or email regarding a non-complex result or prescription question concerning a previous consultation. A phone call will be booked to avoid the frustrations and time wastage of “phone tag”. Consultation in-rooms or over video is the time tested format appropriate for all questions and concerns regarding, diagnosis, assessments, management, medications etc, or form completion, referrals, scripts etc.
Click on the below button to enter the Video Appointment.
INFORMED CONSENT-understanding video telehealth consulting
By entering the video appointment reception and engaging in a telehealth appointment you consent and agree to the following:
I will ensure my child is present for the telehealth appointment unless my doctor agrees to have the appointment without them present and I understand that if my child does not attend the video (or phone) appointment, the out of pocket cost may be larger than advised by staff.
I understand that a video appointment is not an exact substitute for an in-person appointment and may be limited by the lack of physical examination and other technical difficulties. Paediatrics at Burnside and North Adelaide clinicians will not be held liable for any such limitations or their results.
I understand a further, follow-up or review appointment/s or assessment/s in-rooms/in-person may be required and/or advised, either at Paediatrics at Burnside and North Adelaide or another clinic or hospital. It is my responsibility to organise and attend these.
I understand that video appointments are offered in accordance with our policies explained on our website and in our Booking Letter.
I understand that a fee will be charged to be paid immediately after the appointment’s conclusion.
I understand if I have any questions or concerns, including about the fee payable, I am welcome to phone the admin and reception team but should first read the Billing and Fee Payment Policy and fees and concessions policy
For a successful video appointment, we recommend the following:
TECHNICAL preparation:
Using a laptop or computer and monitor where possible, is strongly recommended. Have this set up in a private area where you and your child can attend with minimal distractions. Your mobile phone is not ideal but may be used if a laptop or computer cannot be used.
Check your device and internet connection. Coviu, our telehealth platform, provides a one-click test for your device and connection to check they are set up properly before your appointment- at: tools.coviu.com/precall/. In our experience, desktops and laptops with webcams work best, but families can get by with an iPad or smartphone if necessary.
Ensure you allow access to your camera and microphone when prompted (on your computer or mobile).
Visit the Video Reception a day or so before your appointment to test your connections, familiarise yourself and say hello to our receptionist.
TECHNICAL advice for during YOUR APPOINTMENT:
CLICKING THE “HIDE LOCAL VIDEO” will help your child (and you) participate in the conversation naturally. The “local video” window is the one that shows how you look to the doctor.
Enter the Video Appointment Reception at least 10 minutes before your appointment to ensure you can set it up and speak to our reception staff.
Trouble-shooting: Ask staff for help; AUDIO troubles can be overcome by using your phone for the sound while the video runs on your laptop or another device with the microphone off, or if it really is bad (it happens occasionally), staff can organise a Google Meet link instead.
SETTING THE SCENE FOR YOUR MEDICAL SPECIALIST CONSULTATION:
Aim to make your room as much like our consulting rooms as possible, ensure your environment is well lit, private, has room for your child to play and stay, and as quiet as possible.
If possible, measure and email your child’s height, weight and head circumference before your appointment.
Have your pharmacy contact details ready, or better still, email them. We need the pharmacy name, address, phone number and fax number for scripts.
Have your child’s Blue Book ready for the doctor.
Your child should have a place in front of the camera on your computer or laptop (sitting, standing or on your lap). Your child must be able to easily interact with, be observed by the doctor and generally be part of the of the consultation. Young babies can be held or close by in their bassinet, pram nearby or on a floor mat (including if they are sleeping) so the doctor can see and hear them.
Toys or activities should be made available at the computer and also close by in the consultation space for your child. All children and young people need activities when they’re talking to the doctor and when they get tired of directly participating or when the grown-upsare talking.
Avoid video games and social media as these are too distracting and absorbing for your child.
OUTCOMES OF YOUR VIDEO APPOINTMENT - WHAT TO EXPECT
Video appointments done well (following the above recommendations) are a very close substitute for being in the consult room. Talking, observation and interaction are the primary or sole work of a paediatric consultation.. When this work is being done in a video appointment, and a physical examination is also needed a brief additional consultation can allow this. Referrals, scripts and forms are sent to providers or to you. Staff will help you to book any needed review appointment or a short appointment for a physical exam if needed.
In-rooms consultation remains our preferred way of providing services. Most families are surprised to find the costs of delivering and managing video consulting are significantly more than the costs of in-rooms consultation. The practice has been working to absorb those costs because we believe the video appointments have a vital place in our service delivery. Families living at a distance or who have very busy lives can attend a video appointment much more easily. When one of the participants is isolating or has an infectious disease like flu or Covid, gastro or a cold but is still well enough to consult, a video appointment makes delays and rescheduling unnecessary.