NORTH Network
The NORTH Network is a telehealth program which uses televisions, cameras
and telephones to provide increased access to medical care for rural and
under-serviced communities in Ontario. This equipment is used to connect you
to doctors and other health professionals.
When you have an appointment at Lady Minto's telehealth clinic, you will
have the opportunity of seeing, hearing and talking to a health care
specialist via two-way television.
NORTH Network stands for the Northern Ontario Remote Telecommunication
Health Network. The program currently links many hospitals in Northern,
Central and Southern Ontario. As the program expands, more healthcare
facilities will be added. Telehealth consultations are growing more and more
popular throughout the world. They have proven to be particularly useful in
rural and remote communities. The main benefits include helping patients
gain access to medical specialists and reducing the need to travel and receive
care.
The NORTH Network is also used for continuing medical education of
doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. Sometimes the NORTH
Network is used for special education sessions for patients. Finally,
decision makers from hospitals across the province can make presentations
and meet to discuss important healthcare management issues.
The NORTH Network is a partnership between the public and private
sector.
What Happens at a Telehealth Appointment?
- A telehealth appointment is much like a regular check up, only the
specialist you will be seeing and talking to is on a television screen.
- Before you arrive for your appointment, the specialist who will be
examining you will have already received information about you. As well,
your family doctor may ask you to bring additional test results or
x-rays with you to the appointment.
- Once you have checked in at the hospital, you may be asked to change
into a gown, depending on the type of examination you require. You will
also be asked to sign a brief consent form.
- You will be brought into the examination room by a nurse who has been
trained in telehealth. You are welcome to bring one family member into
the examination room if desired.
Who is with me during a consultation?
- Depending on the type of consultation there will usually be a staff
member with you during the examination, either your family doctor or a
telehealth nurse.
Who will be examining me?
- The health care specialist you will be 'seeing' will likely be part of
the NORTH Network team and most likely come from another NORTH Network
hospital site.
- As the NORTH Network expands, specialists from other healthcare
centres in the province will also become available as needed.
How long does the a telehealth appointment take?
- The appointment can run anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending
on the type of examination and whether or not you have seen the
specialist previously.
How private is the telehealth examination?
- Your telehealth examination will be entirely private and confidential.
The examination can only be seen and heard by those directly involved in
the consultation.
This information has been adapted form the NORTH Network web-site. For more
information please visit
www.northnetwork.com
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