At St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph (SJHCG), the Telemedicine services we are currently able to offer are Telemedicine appointments, Telemedicine educational sessions, and Teledermatology.

Telemedicine Appointments

Using video cameras and monitors, telemedicine connects you to your specialist, even if his or her office is many miles away. You will be able to see, hear, and talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider, without having to leave Guelph.

No more long drives in congested traffic, no crowded waiting rooms, no need to cancel appointments because of bad weather, and no unnecessary travel or parking costs. If you need to see an orthopedic surgeon in Hamilton you may see her without leaving your home town. If you live in North Wellington, your mother can see one of SJHCG’s geriatricians without driving through a blizzard. If you need to see a neurologist in Toronto, you can, using telemedicine technology. There are so many ways this new technology can help keep you and your family healthy.

Telemedicine Educational Sessions

SJHCG partners with healthcare organizations in the region, including the Alzheimer’s Society and the Arthritis Society, to offer group educational sessions presented through the OTN.

Teledermatology

SJHCG offers Teledermatology services to patients in Hospital and residents living in Long Term Care. When a physician needs to consult a Dermatologist for a dermatological concern, the consult can be done through the online OTN Store Forward program.

Frequently Asked Questions about Telemedicine

1. How can telemedicine help me?

TELEMEDICINE APPOINTMENTS

A telemedicine appointment is just like a regular appointment; only the specialist you will be seeing and speaking with is on a monitor. Using audio/video equipment, you will be able to see, hear, and talk to a doctor at a distant location. This is referred to as videoconferencing.

A nurse will be on hand to help you and, he or she will help relay important information to your doctor – vital information like your blood pressure and heart rate.

Thanks to telemedicine, your health care providers can meet with their patients using telemedicine equipment at any telemedicine site in Waterloo Wellington. Say goodbye to long drives and crowded waiting rooms. Your telemedicine appointment will start on time and you or your loved one will not have to take a day off of work or pay for large gas bills and parking fees.

TELEMEDICINE EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

Telemedicine education sessions offered at SJHCG include group classes, group workshops, and support groups. Group workshops/classes focus on health topics such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, better sleep, anxiety, and much more. SJHCG and other Health Centres in the region participate in a monthly Alzheimer Society Care Partner Support group offered via the Ontario Telemedicine Network. Using telemedicine technology, many sites in the region are able to connect via videoconference to watch the educational event simultaneously.

2. How does Telemedicine work?

Using a two-way videoconferencing system, you and your health care professional will be able to communicate. You will enjoy the same privacy and standard of care you would get if you and your doctor were in the same room.

3. What will telemedicine cost me?

Telemedicine is free and available to the public. Telemedicine appointments and Telederm services are free in conjunction with a physician referral. Attending a telemedicine educational session is free, as long as you have a valid Ontario Health Card. Although telemedicine does not replace all in-person contact with your healthcare provider, there are many situations where it is just as effective.

4. How can I get more information about telemedicine?

Visit www.otn.ca for more information, or contact the SJHCG Telemedicine Nurse at 519-824-6000 ext. 4442.

Contact

To learn more about Telemedicine at SJHCG, please contact our Telemedicine Nurse at 519-824-6000 ext. 4442.