What your client can through their camera be minimal. However, how they see the information coming through their screen, is vital. We want you to consider a few aspects of a good telehealth video conference. Planning is certainly the key when it comes to instilling confidence in referral sources as well as the client. We would like you to consider the following aspects:
Your room
The lighting
The acoustics
Exercise: Turn on your video chat platform and just take a look at what you can see in the background. If you can't see a clean wall, with some sparse decorations, we suggest that you take some time to clear your space.
An uncluttered background provides fewer distractions to your session.
When you go to position your laptop / computer / phone, the placement of the camera is a vital aspect of your session.
Ensure that you are viewing the camera straight on and that you're not looking down or up at the camera.
Ideally, you would have a source of direct and indirect lighting. Overhead lighting may not be sufficient enough.
For confidentiality reasons, we do recommend that you use earphones or headphones when conducting your session. This also provides an opportunity for your microphone to be close to your mouth, allowing for clear sound. As a result of the microphone being placed where it can move around, we ask that you're mindful of the "scraping" noise that can come across the sound when the microphone moves or brushes against something. Pay attention to any echos or sound disruptions that can come through your window and/or walls.
Ask yourself: Is the room quiet? Does my room provide an echo? Can clients see me clearly? Is my camera placed where I can have eye to eye contact with the client? Does my camera provide a clear and uncluttered background?