For families with hectic schedules, trying to attend Care Plan Meetings, which occur during daytime work hours, can be a major challenge. Of course they don’t want to miss the opportunity to meet with the whole treatment team to provide and gather information, and to advocate for their loved one. On the other hand, taking time from work and other obligations may prevent even the most dedicated family member from being able to show up for this very important meeting. Using the free Skype or another video call option would allow family members to be present from almost anywhere — even halfway across the world.
For nursing homes, offering families the option to Skype into Care Plan Meetings shows their understanding of the challenges faced by family members and their dedication to customer service. It highlights their commitment to providing the best possible care for the residents, which includes facilitating the ability of families to be part of the treatment team. And did I mention it’s free?
Dr. El,
Following a fall, my mom was in a nursing home 45 min. away. (the facility was close for some siblings, further from others.). Attending a care plan meeting meant taking half a day.
I think the availability for making and receiving video phone calls is phenomenal in terms of marketing, both for meetings and visits when a family member can not be there in person.
I imagine that most facilities already have this capability or could implement this service with little cost. As far as families are concerned, I believe most computers, laptops and desktops can perform this function. A webcam is needed, but I've seen some available for as little as $5, most range between $25-$50.
In the absence of an in-person meeting, a video call is a wonderful technology. Nursing homes should be aware that video quality can be inconsistent with Skype. You could spend the allocated time for a care plan meeting wrestling with the technology. This results in a poor experience for both the resident and the family. Set expectations and have a plan if the video call quality is not there.
What could of been a great opportunity to build trust could leave the family disappointed. Just keep a balance approach if the technology does not perform as expected.
Sue, I think most families would appreciate the option of being able to Skype into a meeting, and you're right, the technology is already in place for most people to use, with a minimal added cost. It might also be possible for families to use the computer services at a library or Internet cafe, with a headset for privacy.
Glenn G, good idea about having a back-up plan. I suggested Skype because it's free and easy for most people to access, but there are other video call services out there. I suppose if the video phone didn't work, a Plan B could be to have the family on speaker phone with the treatment team.