Additional Support Services

Telehealth allows you to safely provide health support through phone or video call. For COVID-19, you can provide education and track symptoms using telehealth without coming into contact with people. Telehealth reduces the need for PPE, is quicker for screening patients for COVID-19 symptoms, encourages continuity of care for high-risk patients who may not feel comfortable going to a health facility, and helps you reach people who might not have access to a health facility. Telehealth is not suitable for people who are at risk for severe COVID-19 or do not have internet or access to a mobile phone 📲

There are four steps you need to take to get started with telehealth in your community. The first step is documentation- you must have all necessary documentation for telehealth visits ready. Typically these documents include guidance for conducting telehealth visits, sample scripts to follow and patient forms that are needed.

Second, pick a space for your telehealth call that is private to protect confidentiality and has reliable internet bandwidth 📡. If possible, it may help to pick one spot as the place you will regularly take these calls. Once your space is set-up, practice with other staff members to get comfortable using the technology.

Next, teach patients to use telehealth by helping them to set up their phone and show them how to use the telehealth platform that you are using. You may have to do this during an in-person visit. Lastly, let the patient know your hours for telehealth visits and how to make an appointment. Provide contact information for emergencies. To prepare for the appointment, make sure clients know how to start the video call. Arrive a few minutes early and look up their case beforehand.

There are several tips to consider for good telehealth practices:

1. Make eye contact with the camera when speaking and hold the camera at eye level;
2. use a plain background;
3. avoid moving too much;
4. dress professionally and speak clearly; and
5. talk through your actions, for example explain that when you are looking down, you are taking notes.

If you cannot provide care over telehealth, you may need to visit a patients home to provide care. Remember these three steps to protect yourself:

1. wash your hands

2. keep a safe distance

3. wear proper PPE.

Sometimes, in your role as a health worker, you will need to have contact with a person who is ill. If this happens, you should always wash your hands before and after coming into contact with the patient and wear proper PPE, even if you are vaccinated.

As a health worker, often you are the patients first connection to health services. Listen to them when they tell you about their health needs and refer them to other support services in the community, if you cannot help. These support services are known as "wrap-around support." Wrap-around services include maternal health care, child care, mental health services, nutrition programs, chronic disease care and violence services.