Patient Communication Policy
At the Bridgepoint Family Health Team, we understand the importance of accessible and quality care that meets the needs of our patients. While traditional phone calls will remain a key part of our clinic’s communication methods, we also recognize the inefficiencies and communication errors that can arise from relying solely on phone communication.
Therefore, we are pleased to announce that we use other communication methods that include electronic written communication between patients and the clinic. This will allow us to streamline the process and enhance the reliability and accuracy of communication. Depending on the context, we may use secure e-mail portal, a secure online appointment scheduling portal, and secure online forms to communicate with our patients.
It’s important to note that our staff will still be available to assist patients in person at the clinic. Patients who call in may be redirected to the appropriate electronic communication channel to ensure a more efficient and effective communication process.
HOW THE CLINIC WILL CONTACT YOU
The clinic will be using a mix of different means to contact you, depending on the sensitivity, importance, and nature of the message. This may include occasional phone calls, and e-mails. Accordingly, it is your responsibility to ensure that each of the following is up-to-date:
The clinic will need to know your up-to-date e-mail address, health card number, phone number, and mailing address at all times and;
We encourage patients to use secure passwords and change their passwords regularly. We also encourage patients not to share their passwords with others, or to allow others to access their e-mail account.
HOW YOU SHOULD CONTACT US
Please consult this page for more information.
More Information
Unfortunately, while extremely convenient, e-mail is not technically a secure communication medium. Accordingly, the clinic will only e-mail through OCEAN secured email when confidential information is involved and when we have your Authorization for Email Communication in respect of your personal health information. Patient will need to use the secured OCEAN secured messaging portal to contact us, click here. For example, we may occasionally send all patients generic e-mail invitations to schedule an appointment for special clinics that we are having (e.g. a flu shot clinic).
We also have a policy to ensure the respectful and effective use of email. Should an individual or group misuse e-mail, for example, by spamming, sending us irrelevant and unnecessary information, etc… we reserve the right to configure our e-mail system to reject messages. In such circumstances, these individuals will be directed to post messages to us by letter mail.
SECURE ONLINE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING PORTAL
BFHT uses OCEAN online appointment booking, an online appointment booking software provider, to enable patients to schedule certain types of appointments. This system has been integrated with our electronic medical records system so that we can offer an entirely automated online appointment scheduling system for some types of appointment. All available appointments can be scheduled and managed online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
SECURE ONLINE FORMS
In certain situations, we believe a secure online form is the most effective way for you to communicate with us, click here, such as if you wish to notify us of updated contact information, updated OHIP information, or if you wish to report completion of a blood and/or imaging test.
In such circumstances, we ask that you complete the form as completely as possible, and we will follow-up as appropriate.