[ ]a virtual assessment is likely to take longer because all the usual cues you might pick up when faceto-face are not available Completing the assessment and being mindful of COVID-19 * Assess the person through structured conversation, in the same way as a face-to-face assessment * Obtain information from family member/carer and others (such as the GP) in the same way as a face-to-face assessment * Use the mobile device to enable observations that are fundamental to the assessment * During the assessment explore: a) cognitive or functional losses that might occur due to isolation or adverse consequences of isolation;b) psychosocial issues that might be affected by isolation;c) any issues related to medication and food, which may be problematic if the person doesn't have support to access them, prepare medications or make meals;d) pay particular attention to any physical COVID-19 health symptoms related to the outbreak - fever, dyspnoea or shortness of breath, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, history of heart failure;e) Ask about new, continuing cough or sore throat Ideally this is arranged with the person by letter or, alternatively, by a phone call to confirm an appointment time for a different occasion * At the beginning of the telephone call, you advise the person of the purpose of the call, outline what they can expect will happen during the call, and inform them they can seek a review of the assessment findings if they wish * If you are interviewing an older perA son, it may be helpful to ask the person for the name and contact details of a family or whanau member you could also contact to discuss the assessment, if required or if desired by the older person * The assessment phone call should be conducted like a conversation and be finished within 20-30 minutes * Older people with significant hearing difficulties, visual, speech, language or cognitive difficulties such as dementia, or who have English as a second language, should be assessed face-to-face
Hot tips to assist virtual patient assessment in uncertain times