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Connectivity in remote and outreach settings

Getting a reliable connection, and a backup for when it drops.

What this is: practical guidance on getting and keeping a connection good enough for virtual care.

Who it's for: clinic and nurse managers, IT support, and anyone running consults from a remote or outreach site.

Test in the actual room

The connection at the front desk tells you little about the connection in the consult room. Walls, distance and equipment all affect it. Test your speed and stability in the room you will actually use, at the time of day you will use it.

Your connection options

Most remote and outreach sites use one or more of these:

  • Fixed line. A wired or fixed wireless connection, where one is available, is usually the most stable.
  • Mobile. A 4G or 5G connection can work well where there is good coverage. Coverage drops away quickly in remote areas, so check it on the ground.
  • Satellite. Newer satellite services have made reliable internet possible in places that never had it. This is increasingly the backbone for very remote sites.

What "enough" looks like

A clinically useful video consult needs a connection that is stable, not just fast. A connection that drops out mid-consult is worse than a slightly slower one that holds. Look for:

  • Enough speed for clear two-way video, in both directions.
  • Low lag, so conversation feels natural.
  • Stability over the length of a consult, not just in a quick test.

Your platform provider can tell you the speed the platform needs. Visionflex can advise on what your setup requires.

Always have a backup

Connections fail. A backup means a failure is an inconvenience, not a cancelled clinic.

  • Keep a second option ready, such as a mobile hotspot or a second SIM on a different network.
  • Know how to switch to it quickly.
  • Test the backup from time to time, so you know it works before you need it.

Outreach and mobile sites

  • Check coverage at each site before you commit to running consults there.
  • Carry your backup connection with you.
  • Have a plan for sites where the connection is too weak, for example collecting readings to send later, rather than a live consult.

When the connection drops mid-consult

  • Stay calm and reassure the patient.
  • Switch to your backup connection.
  • If you cannot reconnect, agree with the patient what happens next, such as a phone call or rebooking.
  • Tell the clinician what you can see and do in the room while you reconnect.
  • Know who to call for support.

Need help?

Visionflex acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging.