Telemedicine
On this page:
Overview
Using secure technology to help patients access care closer to home.
Telemedicine connects you with health-care specialists through secure two-way video and information sharing, so you can get expert advice closer to home, reducing the need to travel.
As the largest academic health sciences centre in the Champlain region, The Ottawa Hospital recognizes the value of telemedicine and uses it to make accessing care easier for patients who live far from their provider.
Kinds of telemedicine
Video visits
Speak with your doctor through a secure video connection, just like a regular appointment.
Store-and-Forward
Your local health-care provider can take photos of skin conditions and send them, along with relevant health information, to a specialist for review.
What to expect
When you arrive, a local telemedicine coordinator will explain what to expect. You may need to change into a gown, depending on your appointment.
You’ll be in a private room. The coordinator usually stays with you, and you can bring a friend or family member if you wish.
You’ll see and talk to your provider on a screen. Sometimes, special tools like a zoom camera or digital stethoscope are used for close-up views or listening to your heart.
Is telemedicine right for me?
Telemedicine can be a good option for many appointments, but it may not be suitable for every visit. If you receive care at The Ottawa Hospital and would like to use telemedicine, talk to your health-care provider to see which appointments can be done virtually. All community hospitals, and many health centres and family health teams in Ontario have Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) studios.
Privacy
Your telemedicine appointment is private and confidential. It takes place over a secure network to protect your privacy, and no one outside the telemedicine rooms can watch your visit. The appointment is never recorded.
At the start of your session, you will meet everyone present in the telemedicine room at The Ottawa Hospital.
Your privacy is safeguarded by The Ottawa Hospital, your community site, and the Ontario Telemedicine Network. For more information about privacy, contact the OTN.
1-888-346-6784
Our commitment
The Ottawa Hospital partners with OTN to improve access to care and health education across Ontario and beyond. Together, we work toward making telemedicine a standard part of health care.