Quick Guide


1. Skype -> Meet Now.

2. Copy link.

3. Medilink -> Select Appointment

4. SMS Options -> SMS Patient -> Paste link -> Send.


Full Guide


Contents



Introduction


As at the time of writing, there is no built-in telehealth (video/phone) system in Medilink.


However, you are able use the SMS messaging system to implement this feature using a third-party technology like Skype.


We suggest using it (Skype) in particular as it is very common and cross-platform and have instructions for it below, although it is likely you may be able to utilise other platforms if you so wished.


The basic principle is that the doctors will be inviting patients to join a Skype meeting via an SMS message.


Please note we cannot support Skype (or other third party products). If you have issues with it please contact your local IT provider.


Prerequisites


You will need:


  • A reliable & stable internet & network.
  • A doctor's computer. 
  • Medilink installed.
  • Working speakers/microphone (headset).
  • Video camera (webcam). Optional if you just want voice calls only (although in that case, you may prefer to simply call the patients).
  • A Microsoft account for this doctor. We suggest creating a non-personal one for this purpose - you can create a free one here: https://account.microsoft.com/ 


Setup


To be done once per doctor's computer.


Note: For Remote Desktop Server users, (e.g. Medilink Hosted), please do the Medilink setup via your normal remote connection. However, the Skype setup itself should *always* be done on a local PC, i.e. the one you are using to connect to your Remote Desktop Server.


Medilink Setup


1. Medilink -> Accounting Screen -> File Menu -> General Options.


2. Tick Create SMS Reminders and Send & Receive SMSes.




3. Close and re-open Medilink.


4. Look in the tray notification area for a light blue icon (with a small phone) called Medilink SMS. Right-click and choose Setup.




5. Your Username and Password should already be filled in, check that you can click Login successfully.



5.a You should get a Login successful message.



5.b. Otherwise, if you get an error, please check your credits and/or contact Medilink.


IntelliSMS account login: https://primary.smartmessagingservices.net/userportal/logon.htm 



6. Look under Message Formats for one called "Skype Format" (or similar).


6.a. If it exists skip the next step.


6.b. Otherwise click Add.


7. Type in a name, i.e. Skype Format, and type in a Message. We recommend:


YOUR_PRACTICE YOUR_PHONE please install https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/ and click


The idea being you will manually paste in the Skype link for each unique meeting.



8. Click OK.


Skype Setup


1. Check if Skype already installed & functional on this computer.


1.a. If it is, skip this whole setup section.


1.b. If not, go to https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/ 



2. Click Get Skype for Windows. 


Note: your patients will go through a similar experience to this and may ask how to do this. Obviously, you are not tech support for them (and Medilink can't provide Skype install materials and support generally to patients), however, it may be worthwhile having yourself & reception staff familiarise themselves with the install process if asked. For instance, we suspect many users will use the mobile versions, so maybe use reception staff as testers for these and the whole process.



3. Run the Skype install file that downloads.




4. You will now be taking through a sign-in step. Make sure you have your Microsoft account details handy and enter them in as requested (or you can also create an account here too - we will not demonstrate that).





5. Check that your audio and video are working.




Usage


This is what you need to do for each Telehealth Consultation.


Skype Initialise Meeting


1. Open Skype and click Meet Now.



2. Click Start Call.



3. Click Share Call Link -> Copy Link



Medilink Send


1. Open Medilink -> Appointment Book Screen.


2. Click the appointment you want, they will likely be the one In Service, and check their Mobile Number down the bottom.


2.a. If no valid mobile then you can't send the Skype link easily, and this guide does not apply to this patient. Perhaps you can via email instead, but we will not provide instructions for that here. Perhaps you can do a standard phone consultation instead.


2.b. Otherwise click SMS Options.



3. In the Choose Task Window, click SMS Patient. Do not click SMS Remind <Patient_Name> - that will take too long to send to them, we need it sent immediately, which is what this bottom option will do.



4. Click Message Formats.



5. Choose the Skype Format and click OK.



6. Put your cursor after the word "click " and press CTRL+V to paste the Skype link you copied earlier (if nothing pastes, re-click Share Call Link -> Copy. Link from within Skype and try pasting again).



7. Wait for the patient to join!


Patient Usage


The patient will receive an SMS similar to the below.


They should use the links to install Skype if they haven't already done so, or/and then trigger to join the meeting.


As mentioned above, you may like to use other staff in the practice as 'guinea pigs' for this purpose, so that they can experience and advise patients if needed.


You should note that the SMS number it comes from is a 'recycled' number, so it's not unique to you and shouldn't be considered your contact information - but you can see replies from the patient to that number for a short window via the Review Simple SMS screens (we will not cover that here).





Skype Usage


Once the patient joins you will be able to hear/see them in the Skype window.


There are various options including the ability to record, and to share your own screen (or parts thereof) should you wish to show the patient certain bits of information/images etc.


There is not a lot of scope for us to be able to support Skype, but it is a very mature and stable product used globally, and there is good support material available for it here:


https://support.skype.com/en/skype/all/


Like anything internet related, the reliability and performance of it will only be as good as the internet connections involved.


Once complete you should finish the appointment in Medilink and bill out the consultation as appropriate (i.e. using Telehealth item numbers).