Virtual Care & Recovery
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has forced many industries to a halt, and the healthcare industry is transitioning to Virtual Care. This unprecedented event forced us to adapt and react accordingly to the reality of people self-isolating for the greater good of communities. Among many changes, self-isolation prevented people from receiving in-person physical care that they were normally used to. We believe that during self-isolation, it becomes even more important to continue taking care of our physical and mental health.
At Push Pounds Sports Medicine and Push Pounds, our upmost priority is taking care of clients’ health and safety while continuing to provide gold standard care to our community. Push Pounds Sports Medicine and Push Pounds introduced “Virtual Care” in order to remove any accessibility and mobility barriers. This method of delivering care would allow clients to access the services of our doctors and therapists in the comfort of their own homes. Using secure and private video conferencing technology, clients are now able to directly connect with our Orthopedic Specialists, Pain Specialist, Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, and Athletic Therapists.
How Does Virtual Care Work?
Virtual care, or video sessions, are very simple to navigate and set up. All you need are a laptop/smartphone/tablet with a camera and microphone. No software installation or account creation are required to use this service.
Prior to your appointment, you will receive an e-mail with the secured web link to your scheduled session. You will also be required to read and accept the virtual care consent form. After that, simply clicking on the link will open up a secure video session with your doctor/therapist.
How Does Virtual Care Differ? Will It Work For Me?
Firstly, Push Pounds Sports Medicine and Push Pounds ensures strict privacy and information security policies while using electronic communication technologies. Secondly, our doctors and therapists are required to meet the same regulatory and legislative requirements, as they adhere to their respective Standards of Practice and Codes of Conduct.
The virtual care session will be very similar to an in-person session, in which the doctor/therapist will ask questions to investigate on your symptoms and pain, while providing an individualized treatment plan to guide you to a healthy recovery. You might also be asked to perform various physical movements during a virtual consultation or follow-up session.
Most orthopedic cases can be treated through virtual care, including pre and post-surgical rehabilitation, back and neck pain, muscle strains, joint sprains, osteoarthritis, pre and post-natal issues, and many others. In fact, some studies say that virtual care for orthopedic hip and knee surgical recovery have shown to achieve very similar results compared to in-person visits (references 1, 2).
Push Pounds Sports Medicine and Push Pounds highly value face-to-face interactions and therapy with our clients. However, the means of delivering care virtually have allowed us to avoid a halt in delivering our service towards your physical rehabilitation. Not only do you receive the same standard of care from the comfort of your home, but it also allows your doctor/therapist to adapt to your specific home environments. Virtual care also promotes more of an active approach towards recovery, which has been proven to show better outcomes for pain (reference 3).
Will Insurance Companies Reimburse for Virtual Care?
Yes, most extended health insurance benefit plans in Ontario have adapted by reimbursing for telehealth or virtual care sessions. However, insurance policies are constantly adapting as we advise that you contact your insurance company directly to confirm your coverage details.
If you are unsure, have any questions/inquiries, or if you are interested in booking a virtual care appointment, we’d be happy to help by contacting us. You can also call us at (416) 722-3393 or e-mailing hello@studioathletica.com
REFERENCES:
1. Nelson, M., Bourke, M., Crossley, K. and Russell, T. (2019) Telerehabilitation is non-inferior to usual care following total hip replacement – A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial. Physiotherapy, . doi:10.1016/j.physio.2019.06.006
2. Cottrell, Michelle A., O’Leary, Shaun P., Raymer, Maree, Hill, Anne J., Comans, Tracy and Russell, Trevor G. (2019) Does telerehabilitation result in inferior clinical outcomes compared with in-person care for the management of chronic musculoskeletal spinal conditions in the tertiary hospital setting? A non-randomised pilot clinical trial. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, . Doi:10.1177/1357633×19887265
3. Cosio D, Lin E. Role of Active Versus Passive Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches in Pain Management. Glob Adv Health Med. 2018;7:2164956118768492. Published 2018 Apr 10. doi:10.1177/2164956118768492
Virtual care, or video sessions, are very simple to navigate and set up. All you need are a laptop/smartphone/tablet with a camera and microphone. No software installation or account creation are required to use this service.
Prior to your appointment, you will receive an e-mail with the secured web link to your scheduled session. You will also be required to read and accept the virtual care consent form. After that, simply clicking on the link will open up a secure video session with your doctor/therapist.
How Does Virtual Care Differ? Will It Work For Me?
Firstly, Push Pounds Sports Medicine and Push Pounds ensures strict privacy and information security policies while using electronic communication technologies. Secondly, our doctors and therapists are required to meet the same regulatory and legislative requirements, as they adhere to their respective Standards of Practice and Codes of Conduct.
The virtual care session will be very similar to an in-person session, in which the doctor/therapist will ask questions to investigate on your symptoms and pain, while providing an individualized treatment plan to guide you to a healthy recovery. You might also be asked to perform various physical movements during a virtual consultation or follow-up session.
Most orthopedic cases can be treated through virtual care, including pre and post-surgical rehabilitation, back and neck pain, muscle strains, joint sprains, osteoarthritis, pre and post-natal issues, and many others. In fact, some studies say that virtual care for orthopedic hip and knee surgical recovery have shown to achieve very similar results compared to in-person visits (references 1, 2).
Push Pounds Sports Medicine and Push Pounds highly value face-to-face interactions and therapy with our clients. However, the means of delivering care virtually have allowed us to avoid a halt in delivering our service towards your physical rehabilitation. Not only do you receive the same standard of care from the comfort of your home, but it also allows your doctor/therapist to adapt to your specific home environments. Virtual care also promotes more of an active approach towards recovery, which has been proven to show better outcomes for pain (reference 3).
Will Insurance Companies Reimburse for Virtual Care?
Yes, most extended health insurance benefit plans in Ontario have adapted by reimbursing for telehealth or virtual care sessions. However, insurance policies are constantly adapting as we advise that you contact your insurance company directly to confirm your coverage details.
If you are unsure, have any questions/inquiries, or if you are interested in booking a virtual care appointment, we’d be happy to help by contacting us. You can also call us at (416) 722-3393 or e-mailing hello@studioathletica.com