Lesson 1Red flags that require escalation: severe dyspnea, SpO2 < 90% or significant drop, signs of DKA/HHS, chest pain, altered mental status, hypotension, persistent vomiting or dehydrationDefines clinical warning signs in telehealth needing escalation, such as severe shortness of breath, low or declining oxygen levels, chest pain, DKA or HHS indicators, low blood pressure, changed mental state, 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 remotelyRecognising 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 effectsCovers optimal methods for medication reconciliation and adherence checking in telehealth, featuring the ask-about approach, examining inhaler and device application, and clarifying recent alterations, side effects, 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 get precise home readings of blood glucose, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rate, covering device preparation, frequent errors, fixes, and recording outcomes in telehealth consultations.
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 languageOffers a structured method to commence a 25-minute telehealth visit, fostering rapport, verifying identity and consent, establishing a joint agenda in plain terms, and handling time whilst prioritising patient needs.
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 observation techniques to spot breathing difficulties, mental state changes, skin circulation shifts, facial and body signals, and setting hazards, incorporating these into remote triage and escalation choices.
Optimising camera, lighting, and positioningVisual cues of respiratory distress on videoRecognising altered mental status remotelyAssessing skin colour, 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 triggersDetails conducting a breathing history via telehealth, covering symptom start and progression, triggers, sputum and cough traits, usual exercise capacity, COPD or asthma trends, and spotting acute worsening signs.
Clarifying onset, duration, and progression of dyspneaExploring triggers, positions, and relieving factorsCharacterising 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: hyperglycemia symptoms, patterns, insulin/oral agent use, recent changes in diet or illnessEmphasises structured, symptom-oriented questioning for diabetes patients, including high and low sugar signs, glucose trends, medication application, diet, sickness, and sick-day handling 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 availabilityExamines assessing home safety and social factors in telehealth visits, covering living arrangements, medication and food access, transport, caregiver aid, and involving social services or community support when needed.
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 short screening queries, symptom length and setting, safety issues, daily life effects, and escalation for urgent mental health or crisis assessment.
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
