Lesson 1Red flags that require escalation: severe dyspnoea, SpO2 < 90% or significant drop, signs of DKA/HHS, chest pain, altered mental status, hypotension, persistent vomiting or dehydrationIdentifies critical clinical indicators in telehealth necessitating escalation, such as severe breathing difficulties, low or declining oxygen saturation, chest pain, DKA or HHS symptoms, low blood pressure, mental state changes, and ongoing vomiting or fluid loss.
Severe dyspnea and work of breathing on videoInterpreting low or dropping home SpO2 readingsChest pain, palpitations, and cardiac warning signsIdentifying signs of DKA and HHS remotelyRecognizing hypotension and poor perfusion signsEscalation pathways and emergency instructionsLesson 2Medication reconciliation and adherence assessment: ask-about technique, inhaler use review, recent medication changes or side effectsExamines optimal methods for medication reconciliation and compliance evaluation in telehealth, incorporating the ask-about approach, appraisal of inhaler and device application, and clarification of recent alterations, adverse reactions, and safety matters.
Preparing patients for a virtual med list reviewStepwise telehealth medication reconciliationUsing the ask-about technique for adherenceReviewing inhaler and device technique remotelyIdentifying side effects and drug interactionsDocumenting and communicating medication changesLesson 3Gathering home measurements: guided instructions to obtain blood glucose, home BP, pulse oximetry, heart rate, and how to troubleshoot devicesProvides step-by-step coaching for patients to acquire precise home readings of blood glucose, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rate, encompassing device preparation, frequent errors, resolution techniques, and recording outcomes during telehealth interactions.
Preparing the patient and environment for measurementsStepwise coaching for home blood pressure readingsGuided self-monitoring of blood glucose at homeUsing and interpreting home pulse oximetry safelyAssessing heart rate by device and manual methodsTroubleshooting common home device problemsLesson 4Opening and agenda-setting for a 25-minute visit using simple languageDelivers a systematic method for initiating a 25-minute telehealth consultation, fostering rapport, verifying identity and consent, establishing a mutual agenda with plain language, and allocating time whilst prioritising patient concerns.
Verifying identity, location, and emergency planUsing plain language to explain visit purposeBuilding rapport and psychological safety quicklyEliciting the patient’s main concerns and goalsNegotiating a realistic shared agenda and time useTransitioning from agenda to focused assessmentLesson 5Video observation skills: recognising respiratory distress signs, altered mental status, skin perfusion, facial cues, environment red flagsEnhances video-based observation abilities to detect breathing distress, mental state alterations, skin circulation variations, facial and bodily signals, and contextual hazards, integrating these into remote triage and escalation judgements.
Optimizing camera, lighting, and positioningVisual cues of respiratory distress on videoRecognizing altered mental status remotelyAssessing skin color, perfusion, and sweatingReading facial expression and body languageSpotting environmental and safety red flagsLesson 6Respiratory assessment by history: onset, triggers, sputum, cough, baseline exercise tolerance, COPD exacerbation triggersDescribes conducting a respiratory history via telehealth, covering symptom onset and progression, precipitants, sputum and cough traits, usual exercise capacity, COPD or asthma tendencies, and spotting acute worsening indicators.
Clarifying onset, duration, and progression of dyspneaExploring triggers, positions, and relieving factorsCharacterizing cough, sputum, and hemoptysisAssessing baseline and current exercise toleranceIdentifying COPD and asthma exacerbation patternsDetermining need for urgent in-person evaluationLesson 7Symptom-focused questioning for diabetes: hyperglycaemia symptoms, patterns, insulin/oral agent use, recent changes in diet or illnessConcentrates on organised, symptom-oriented enquiries for diabetic patients, encompassing hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia manifestations, glucose trends, medication application, diet, sickness, and unwell-day protocols in telehealth contexts.
Screening for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia symptomsExploring home glucose logs and daily patternsReviewing insulin and oral diabetes medication useAssessing diet, activity, and recent illness changesDiscussing sick-day rules and self-managementIdentifying diabetes red flags needing escalationLesson 8Home safety and social determinants: living alone, access to meds/food, transportation, caregiver availabilityInvestigates evaluating home safety and social factors in telehealth, including living arrangements, access to medicines and nourishment, transport options, carer support, and circumstances warranting social services or community aid involvement.
Assessing living situation and basic home safetyEvaluating access to medications and refillsScreening for food insecurity and nutrition risksIdentifying transportation and technology barriersAssessing caregiver availability and caregiver strainCoordinating referrals to social and community resourcesLesson 9Assessing anxiety remotely: screening questions, duration, safety concerns, functional impactInstructs on remote anxiety evaluation using concise screening queries, symptom length and setting, safety issues, practical effects, and escalation timing for immediate mental health or crisis appraisal.
Building comfort to discuss emotional symptomsUsing brief anxiety screening questionsExploring duration, triggers, and coping effortsAssessing impact on sleep, work, and self-careScreening for safety, self-harm, and substance useCoordinating follow-up and mental health referrals
