Informed consent

Inherently virtual care does have some privacy and security risks in terms of third parties intercepting health information. As such, we recommend that all patients verbally consent to these risks at the beginning of their appointments. The following is an example of what a provider can say: 

“(Patient’s Name), before we proceed, I would like to disclose that while we do our best to ensure your virtual care visit is private and secure, there are some security risks that could allow your health information to be intercepted or unintentionally disclosed. To improve your experience and reduce your security risks, it is recommended that you are in a setting where you can have confidential conversations and use a private device and internet connection instead of an open guest Wi-Fi, employer or third-party device. 

If we determine during the visit that you require a physical exam, you will need to be assessed in person. You should also understand that virtual care is not a substitute for attending the emergency department if urgent care is needed. Are you OK to continue?”