In this era of telemedicine, clinicians must adapt to evolving standards of on-screen presentation and technological know-how that they may not have considered as being relevant until now.

When launching your private practice, it’s important to understand that patients will expect efficient and supportive virtual care. In lieu of a real-life office setting, your home office will function as the safe space to welcome clients seeking care and comfort. 

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To earn patient trust, clinicians need a baseline knowledge of best practices to initiate virtual care. That includes a to-do checklist prior to your online appointments. Clinicians should ensure their home office environment is suitable and presentable for both the client and the practice. Physical demands should also be addressed. Finally,  factor in the tools needed to ensure clinicians are accessible and protected when consulting with clients. 

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Tech setup

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The virtual care experience is only rapidly evolving in post-pandemic life. Telemedicine demand increased dramatically in the past two years. Couple that with reports that 25% of all professional jobs in North America will be remote by the end of 2022, it’s safe to say that clinicians who launch a new private practice must prepare themselves to be proficient in providing video consultations with clients. 

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Understanding virtual care technology is a good starting point. Creating a quick tech checklist will help you organize your technological priorities as you prepare for your appointments. 

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Checking your internet connection can be the first step. Consider using a wired internet connection vs. a wi-fi connection as a means of keeping your network connectivity at optimal strength. 

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Audio connections are another priority. A wired headset with a microphone is preferable to bluetooth to ensure connectivity. You can also use the built in computer speakers for audio, just make sure that the speakers are loud enough for you to clearly hear everything your clients say. 

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For video framing, make sure that your camera is at eye level and your upper torso is visible. Your clients will be able to connect with you better if they feel they are making eye contact and they can get a sense of your body language - hand motions and posture are nonverbal cues that make for a quality consultation.

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Avoiding distracting backgrounds, turning off your self view camera and resizing your video window to occupy the top third of your display are other tips to help you stay focused on your client. The more personable you can make it, the better care you can provide. 

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Home office set up

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Once you have an understanding for the tech set up, you can focus on the rest of the work space.. 

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Finding a quiet, distraction free area is crucial to providing proper virtual care. A home office should be shielded from interruptions. Whether it’s using a room with a locked door to prevent accidental barge-ins during a video session or removing the television to avoid wasting time on a break, keep your home office space as distraction-free as possible. 

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A home office should also have plenty of natural light to brighten up both your work day and your virtual care appointments. Access to natural light will help with Vitamin D levels while you are working indoors. The natural light will also illuminate your video presentation and help your clients get a better view of you in a video consultation.

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Sitting is the new smoking

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Even if you make your home office as comfortable and ergonomically efficient as possible, sitting at your desk for extended periods of time can take its toll on your body. 

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It helps to implement movement into your daily routine. You can even put time into your calendar to ensure you keep it moving during your work hours.

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A few quick exercises can help alleviate some of the physical and mental strain of working from a home office. 

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Lunges: Lunges are very similar to walking or running. They provide a nice stretch to the hip flexors on the back leg, which can counteract the tension of sitting for long periods of time. There are several variations, so watch this quick video to learn the basics.

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Squats: Working the glutes, quads, hamstrings and core muscles will help you with your sedentary work routine. Here’s a video guide.

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Breathing: Paying close attention to your breathing habits can bring calmness and focus. Follow these three easy breathing techniques to help get you through the work day. 

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Ease Video

Focusing on your home office environment - from the tech to the surrounding space to your personal health and wellness - will allow you to provide the best quality virtual care for your patients. With Ease Video, you will also give your patients a more comfortable online consultation experience. 

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Ease Video integration  simplifies virtual care consultations for clinicians and clients to serve patients quickly and securely. Ease Video is also fully HIPAA-compliant. You and your clients can enter each scheduled appointment knowing that all protected health information (PHI) is safe and secure. 

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Ease Video integrates seamlessly with Ease Cal, allowing the private practice calendar manager to embed appointment links on a clinician’s appointment schedule. One click and you’re there for your next patient. 

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Adapting to telemedicine standards

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Modern standards for virtual care demand clinicians to pay closer attention to online presentation, video technology and personal wellness in the digital space. Taking all of these factors into account will help your private practice thrive. Utilizing the proper tools to practice telemedicine will also put your mind and your private practice at ease.