VIRTUAL CARE PROGRAM

Transcription

1 VIRTUAL CARE PROGRAM

2 The Reality With your hectic schedules and constant demands, who has time to keep on top of the latest health news? Nowadays, people need fast and convenient services for health information and support to prevent and treat health problems. What is the Virtual Care Program? The Virtual Care Program, (a free program) is an online cardiovascular health management platform that can help you control and manage your risk factors for heart disease. The platform allows you to track and monitor risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, nutrition, weight and more. What can I expect? Once you are registered in the program, you will have to complete a series of workbooks that will ask you questions on your health. Once these are complete, you will receive a notification on whether or not you qualify for our health coaching service. Should you qualify, your assigned coach will contact you within 1-2 business days to introduce themselves and greet you. After which you will schedule

3 an appointment to chat your with health coach online and will be able to connect with them once every two weeks for a total of six months. The health coach will help you set up trackers, reminders, goals and provide specific risk factor education tailored to your needs. What are some of the features? There are a series of great features in the platform that can assist you in managing your heart health, these include: Communication with physical activity devices: The platform will have the ability to communicate with electronic devices and activity monitors such as the FitBit and many more. Wellness Trackers: You will automatically be assigned trackers for the risk factors that may not be within target. The trackers help you monitor progress and can even send you reminders to log your steps or take your blood pressure. Trackers are particularly helpful when you are working toward a goal such as weight loss or quitting smoking. Progress Reports: By tracking your risk factors (such as daily steps, calories, blood pressure etc), the platform will transmit progress reports that can assist you in the teaching, instructing, and advisement on health-related issues by a certified Health Coach. One on one health coaching: You have the ability to interact with a health coach only if you qualify for this service (see the FAQ s section to see who can qualify for this service). The health coach s role is to relay specific health information in real time and to help empower you to become an active selfmanager of your own heart health. Online support groups: You will automatically be assigned to online support groups where you can post questions and seek encouragement and tips from other people who may have similar health goals. Health library: For all your heart health education needs, you will have access to a trusted and reliable database of information where you can learn important strategies to help you achieve your health priorities.

4 FAQ s It says i m not eligible for a health coach, how could I access this service? If you are not eligible for a health coach it is because you are either at a low-risk for cardiovascular disease, or the service is not offered in your area. Only patients at a moderate to high risk for CVD can access health coaching services. Do I have to use the health coach feature? No, if you qualify for health coaching and do not wish to use this service, you can opt out or decline the invite from your health coach. You can still make use of all the additional features of the platform but a health coach will not be able to guide you or see your profile. The service is free so there is no cost to you whether you use the health coach feature or not. Does it cost anything? No. Access to this program is free of charge. If you receive health coaching, this service is also complimentary. However, it is important to note that there is no access to physicians, cardiologists or other services offered by the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Can I invite my friends or family to monitor my progress? Yes. Your family and friends can register to use the platform and you can add them as your circle of care so they have access to your health profile. What happens after six months? After you ve participated in the program for six months, you will be asked to re-complete your workbooks and assessments to see if any progress has been made since the beginning. If you have been assigned a health coach, your health coach service will end after six months, but you can remain in the platform for up to one year.

5 Can I select my health coach? Unfortunately you cannot request a specific health coach. Coaches are carefully assigned to participants based on the risk factors that need to be addressed. Our coaches all specialize in different areas, so if you are matched with someone, it is because they may be in a better position to maximize your success according to your health priorities and needs. What if I miss a scheduled health coaching session? Our coaches know that sometimes life gets a little hectic. When you have to reschedule your session, please your health coach to give them as much notice as possible. If you forgot a session completely, it s important to follow up with your health coach and reschedule at your earliest convenience. I wanted access to a health coach but I am low-risk, what do I do now? Health coaching is just one component of the program. Even if you do not qualify for health coaching, there are plenty of great features that Virtual Care has to offer. You can post questions or other comments in the forum section and get online support, track your risk factors like daily activity, sync with your activity monitors, increase your CVD knowledge through the health library and more importantly improve your risk factors. What do my bi-weekly appointments with my health coach cover? Your health coach will cover specific topics at each of your scheduled contacts. He or she will review your risk factor profile and help you set goals in achieving your health priorities. Every contact will focus on a different topic area such as problem solving, skill building and relapse prevention. It will be up to you to track your risk factors such as food and exercise in order to make the most of your sessions.

6 To find out more or to register visit cwhhc.ottawaheart.ca/virtualcare Or us at