Informed Consent

 

The purpose of this Informed Consent to TeleHealth Services is to inform clients about the process of online therapy services. This consent is in addition to the ‘face- to-face’ Informed Consent.

 

Online therapy is not suitable for all clients and Dr Jennifer Mitchell can discuss each client’s suitability before booking an initial appointment. Alternatives to receiving online therapy services will be discussed if required. 

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TeleHealth sessions:

 

Once a telehealth session is scheduled Dr Jennifer Mitchell will ask clients to view instructions on how to connect remotely to their session via a secure link to the telehealth platform (e.g., Zoom Meeting).

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Clients are required to download and use the free video software from Zoom.us via this link. Zoom can be used in several browsers on operating systems including Windows and Mac, and works across various tablets and mobile devices. Dr Jennifer Mitchell can assist clients in downloading Zoom.us. Telehealth services require clients to have a secure WIFI or internet connection and a working webcam and audio on their device.  Please be aware that clients are responsible for any costs incurred in relation to the provision of their own software, hardware and data usage associated with telehealth services.

 

It is advisable for clients to choose an environment for each session where they are not likely to be distracted, interrupted or overheard, and one that has minimal noise disturbance. Clients are encouraged to also choose an environment with good lighting and consideration of the background as it may be visible to Dr Jennifer Mitchell. 

 

Clients should be aware that misunderstandings may occur due to connection problems causing image delays or less than optimal image quality. Teleconferencing generally limits the amount of non-verbal information exchanged between Dr Mitchell and clients and as a result, misunderstandings may occur. Clients are asked to please have patience with the process and clarify information if they think Dr Jennifer Mitchell has not understood them well and to also be patient if Jennifer asks for periodic clarification.

 

In case of emergency, Dr Jennifer Mitchell needs to be able to contact support people of clients in their local area. Accordingly, clients will be asked to provide the names and contact details of two people known to them before their initial session. 

 

Because clients may be in varied locations for their telehealth sessions, Dr Jennifer Mitchell will require clients to provide their location at the commencement of each session. Clients are encouraged to plan for some brief quiet time following their session before returning to their usual tasks.

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RECORD KEEPING:

 

Please note that Dr Jennifer Mitchell will be taking notes and at times will need to look down during telehealth sessions to record these. In accordance with legislative requirements, electronic records and paper records are kept in secure storage. Dr Jennifer Mitchell will not make recordings of telehealth sessions and clients are asked to respect Dr Jennifer Mitchell's privacy by agreeing not to make recordings of therapy sessions and not to use materials from therapy sessions for purposes other than therapy (e.g., posting any portion of said sessions on internet websites such as Facebook or YouTube is not permitted).

 

 

PROCEDURES IN CASE OF TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES OR DISRUPTIONS IN SERVICE:

 

If there is ever a disruption of services on the internet or technical difficulties Dr Jennifer Mitchell will message or call the client to discuss how to proceed with the session. If reconnection is not possible within 10 minutes Dr Jennifer Mitchell will send an email to schedule a new session time. 

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PRIVACY:

 

The privacy of any form of communication via the internet is potentially vulnerable and limited by the security of the technology. Clients are responsible for understanding the potential risks of confidentiality being breached through unencrypted email, in transit by hackers or internet service providers, lack of password protection or leaving information on a public access computer. 

 

Dr Jennifer Mitchell makes every effort to keep all information confidential. For example, Dr Jennifer Mitchell has chosen to use Zoom.us as the software provider for telehealth services to allow for high security and confidentiality of the content in sessions. Zoom offers multi-layer security with AES-256 end-to-end encryption. Likewise, clients are asked to takeresponsibility for creating and using additional safeguards when the computer used to access telehealth services may be accessed by others, such as creating passwords to use the computer, keeping their email and passwords secret, ensuring they fully exit all online therapy sessions and email, and maintaining the security of their wireless internet access points. For more information clients are encouraged to read cybersecurity resources provided by the Australian Cyber Security Centre via this link.

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MEDICARE REQUIREMENTS:

 

A Medicare rebate of $128.40 may be available for up to 10 sessions per calendar year if:

• the client is referred from a GP (or Psychiatrist) with a current mental health treatement plan,

• the client is not an admitted patient.

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For further information, clients are encouraged to read the Fact Sheet provided by the APS via this link

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By agreeing to participate in a telehealth session, I agree to expressly release Dr Jennifer Mitchell from any liability associated with unintended cybersecurity issues and/or difficulties with unsecured communications.