FaceTime connects you and your patients through audio or video calls from your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch to other iOS devices, even a Macintosh computer equipped with a FaceTime camera.
If you and your patient have any of the above Apple devices, you can get started with FaceTime.
You can use FaceTime over Wi-Fi or over cellular network on supported iOS or iPadOS devices. You may use PHSA-provided iOS devices or your personal iOS devices.
- For one-on-one and one-to-group virtual health visits
- Ad hoc consults
- Follow ups
- Check ins
- You and your patient need an email address associated with Apple ID or phone number
- Access to Wi-Fi or cellular data connection
- Any Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Macintosh computer
- Turning off all ‘cloud’ functions
- Because the Privacy Impact Assessment is pending completion by PHSA Privacy Office, under emergency response due to COVID-19, PHSA is collaborating with the Ministry of Health to expedite privacy and security review of virtual health solutions on behalf of all B.C. health authorities
- Unintended sharing of personal identifiable information
- Lack of meeting invite password encryption
- Apple devices required
- Potential to send meeting invite to an uninvited recipient
- Policy constraints if user was on external Wi-Fi or public setting
- No analytics available via the solution
Introduce virtual health to patients
Introduce the FaceTime option to patients by phone/email/text. Check the technical readiness of your patient. Obtain the patient’s personal email and send an initial email to validate their email address and provide notification of risks (see APPENDIX 1:
Client Notification Form (PDF), and APPENDIX 2:
sample validation script (PDF)).
Set up virtual health visit
Ensure patient is comfortable with FaceTime. Contact patient to schedule a visit. Obtain the patient personal email or cell phone number.
When scheduling a visit, patient’s email associated to Apple ID or cell phone number must be added as resources.
Conduct a virtual health visit
Prior to the visit, choose a private location with reliable internet access.
In the unlikely event of technical issues, please switch to a telephone visit with patient. Supporting materials can be sent to patient via email or SMS.
After the visit, email/text the patient experience
survey link (optional). Document encounter in patient record as usual.
