Physiotherapy

What to expect with virtual physiotherapy/tele-rehabilitation delivered via video call:

Assessment from Highly Qualified Registered Physiotherapists or Certified Athletic Therapist

• Our physiotherapists are Licensed to Practice through the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario or Certified Canadian Athletic Therapist
• All of our therapists have completed extensive post-graduate education programs to increase their knowledge of orthopaedic injuries, with many different specializations outlined in the individual practitioner’s biography

A thorough subjective assessment and subsequent treatments from the comfort of your home

• Research shows that advanced clinicians spend more time on the subjective (speaking) part of the assessment than the objective (movement analysis) part of the assessment, which speaks to the value of the depth and information we can gain from thoroughly listening to our clients

Movement-based assessment and correction

• Our goal is to facilitate your independence by empowering you with the knowledge and healthy movement patterns to take control of your body. Our therapists are expertly trained in visual assessment of movement deficiencies and have unique strategies for adapting our objective assessments to the tele-rehab platform

Exercise-based therapy and program design

• Part of your session may include exercise-based analysis and recommendations. Allow your physiotherapist to analyse your exercise performance using the home equipment that you use every day! Sessions may include comprehensive exercise program design to best suit your schedule, environment, and individual needs

Comprehensive post-call follow-up

• Follow-up via email and the Embodia App will provide you with your comprehensive exercise plan as well as an assessment summary of any pertinent injury management strategies that your physiotherapist has discussed with you.

If you are still not sure if virtual rehab is right for you, email us at virtual@grsm.ca.  One of our registered physiotherapists will connect with you to discuss your personal rehab needs.

COVID-19 is placing stress on Canada’s public health system. GRSM offers virtual appointments to provide our patients with an option to receive comprehensive care in the comfort of their home. This means that we use video and audio technologies for some patient visits rather than asking all patients to come into our office. Some of these technologies are provided by the Province. Others have been provided by vendors like Google, Apple, Embodia and Physitrack to help make discussions with your care provider as easy as possible during these difficult times. Some health concerns can be addressed with virtual care alone, but in some cases your doctor or physiotherapist may ask you to visit a hospital or other health care facility if necessary, for a physical examination.

We do our best to make sure that any information you give to us during virtual care visits is private and secure, but no video or audio tools are ever completely secure. There is an increased security risk that your health information may be intercepted or disclosed to third parties when using video or audio communications tools. To help us keep your information safe and secure, you can:

• Understand that this method of communication is not secure in the same way as a private appointment in an exam room or clinic
• Use a private computer/device (i.e., not an employer’s or third party’s computer/device) and a secure internet connection. For example, using a personal computer or tablet is more secure than at a library, and your access to the Internet on your home network will generally be more secure than an open guest Wi-Fi connection.

You should also understand that virtual care is not a substitute for in-person communication or clinical examinations, where appropriate, or for attending the Emergency Department when needed (including for any urgent care that may be required).

If you are concerned about using video or audio tools for virtual care, you can ask our office to arrange for you to visit a different healthcare provider or other health care center where you can be seen in person. However, please note that visiting a health care provider in person comes with a higher risk of coming into contact with COVID-19 and the possibility of spreading the virus.

By agreeing to an assessment and/or treatment using virtual communication, you understand that there are risks involved as a result of misunderstandings due to lack of visual cues and that there is a potential for connection failure.  Please discuss alternate forms of communication with your health care provider in the event that your communication is disrupted.

By providing your information, you agree to let us collect, use, or disclose your personal health information through video or audio communications (while following applicable privacy laws) in order to provide you with care. In particular, the following means of electronic communication may be used (identify all that apply): videoconferencing (including Skype, Facetime, Zoom, Embodia, Physitrack etc.).

General Information

• Physiotherapy and Athletic Therapy services will be delivered virtually via video teleconference, via Embodia (Zoom+ for Healthcare). Embodia is a secure encrypted teleconferencing service and is available as a free downloadable App on both the iOS and Android platforms. The Embodia App includes access to exercise programs that can be directly assigned by your practitioner.
• Payment can be made by direct billing or credit card. Reimbursement by third party insurance/ extended health benefits is the responsibility of the patient.  For direct billing or credit card payment, please call the clinic directly to arrange payment of your account. 
• All rehabilitation services are offered by Registered Physiotherapists, Licensed Practitioners with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario or Certified Athletic Therapists. Physiotherapy and Athletic Therapy services can be submitted to third party health insurance/ extended health benefits as desired. The patient will be provided with an official invoice to be submitted. At this time, it is unknown if all insurance providers will be reimbursing for virtual physiotherapy or virtual athletic therapy. Please check with your individual insurance provider for clarification, and speak to your therapist if you have any questions or concerns.
• A physician referral is not required for physiotherapy or athletic therapy assessment, but may be required for third party insurance reimbursement. Patient are responsible for confirm that the services are covered under their individual plans.
• Assessments will take approximately 1 hour in length at a cost of $105. Comprehensive exercise therapy and assessment summary will be provided via email at no additional cost.
• Follow up appointments are priced as follows:
  o 30 minutes at $64
  o 45 minutes at $95

Pre-Appointment Checklist (to be completed prior to virtual appointment)
**Please allow 20-30 minutes of preparation time for checklist completion if this is your first virtual appointment**

• Complete online intake form including consent to assessment and treatment – click here to complete consent
• Payment can be made by direct billing or credit card. Reimbursement by third party insurance/ extended health benefits is the responsibility of the patient.  For direct billing or credit card payment, please call the clinic directly to arrange payment of your account. 
• Receive another email: Embodia/ Zoom consult invitation from your practitioner.
  – Click “Join Consult” which will prompt you to install the Zoom app (phone) or application (desktop computer).
  – Once consultation is open, please activate audio and video at the bottom of your screen when prompted or if sound/ video is not showing up
  – * Please have the app open prior to the agreed upon time of the assessment. 
• Please have the following available to the best of your ability:
  – Well-lit room with space available to visualize entire body or region being investigated
  – Appropriate clothing to sufficiently expose the body part/ region of concern
  – Stationary chair, yoga mat if desired
  – Any exercise equipment that may pertain to the condition being investigated (e.g., running shoes, weights, steps or stairs)
  – Referral notes from physician/ surgeon indicating guidelines/ restrictions, or relevant medical reports (imaging). Can email directly to your physiotherapist.
  – Any relevant medical information, including current exercise program
  – List of current medications
• After your appointment, your practitioner may or may not choose to send you an exercise program via the Embodia App:
  – Receive Embodia Welcome Email and sign up for Embodia for free. Be sure to check your spam folder
  – Follow prompts on the email to download the Embodia app (Google Play on Android or App Store on iPhone/iOS devices) or sign up online using the email and password provided.