Care team resources

PHSA is transitioning from Zoom for Healthcare to Microsoft Teams as the primary tool used to conduct virtual visits.

​​​​​Microsoft Teams Basic is suitable for one-to-one visits (care provider and one patient/family member), staff meetings, webinars. Basic sessions include audio, video, call-in and group chat functionality.  

Learning resources for care providers 

While we understand it can take some time to get used to a new virtual visit platform, there are resources available to support you in having a successful virtual visit with your patients.  

​Microsoft Teams Playbook

This step-by-step playbook will help you get started, adjust your settings, request language accessibility support and more.
​​​Microsoft Teams playbook

​Virtual Visit Best Practice Guide

This guide outlines key points to determine if virtual care is suitable in the patient's care journey.
Virtual visit best practice guide

​Quick reference guides

Find detailed instructions to help you have successful virtual visits using Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft Teams scheduling meetings
Microsoft Teams joining a meeting
Microsoft Teams meeting features
Microsoft Teams breakout rooms
Microsoft Teams calendar scheduling options
Microsoft Teams shared devices
Virtual visit extract from Cerner
Virtual visits with multiple participants​​​

Request an editable resource for your health authority

If you would like to repurpose a resource document for your health authority, please request an editable version from PVHSupport@phsa.ca​.​​

Resources for your patients

Your patients and their loved ones may have questions about virtual visits. You can direct them to the virtual visits patient resources page.


​Non-clinical resources

Staff and medical staff using Microsoft Teams for business or non-clinical uses can find helpful tips and resources on Infocentre (must be using a health authority computer or be logged onto the network to access).

Language access through Microsoft Teams

PLS sessions moving to Microsoft Teams

Sessions requiring only a single spoken language interpreter, or multiple spoken language interpreters in one session or Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will take place on Microsoft Teams. There are no changes to on-demand Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services.

PLS session staying with Zoom for Healthcare: American Sign Language interpreter services

Zoom for Healthcare licences will continue for virtual visit sessions that require American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting.

  • Submit the PLS Interpreter Booking (CSM) request form with the meeting link field left blank. 
  • The PLS team will create the Zoom meeting and share the link with your clinic. 
  • On the day of the visit, a PLS representative will start the meeting, transfer host privileges to the clinician, and then leave the meeting.
Learn how to request interpretation services for a virtual visit in the Language Access Guide for Virtual Visits.

Important points for all to remember  

  • Recording meetings on Microsoft Teams is only approved for the following instances: 

    • Educational sessions that cannot be attended by all who require the information 

    • Vendor demonstrations where information is later needed to conduct assessments or educate staff on product use     

  • PHSA employees should not be creating or using a personal (free) Zoom account that has not been provisioned by their health authority. A personal (free) version may not have health authority privacy approval and does not have security oversight like a licensed account. Using a personal account can put your organization at risk. If you have created a personal Zoom account on your PHSA-provided device, please contact PVHSupport@phsa.ca.   

  • For all technical issues, please contact your health authority's Service Desk. This includes Microsoft Teams sign-in or joining issues, audio/video issues, shared mailbox access, and device or Microsoft Teams applications issues.​