Virtual Care brings connection to patients awaiting surgery
At Nepean Hospital’s Multidisciplinary Orthopaedic Clinic (MDOC), virtual care is transforming the experience of patients awaiting hip and knee replacement surgery. By bringing physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, nursing and social work directly into patients’ homes, the Clinic is helping people manage pain, improve mobility, and maintain wellbeing without the need to travel.
“It’s about helping people live better while they wait for surgery,” says Sharon Hammad, MDOC Coordinator.
Initially introduced to support patients living far from the hospital, virtual care quickly became essential during the pandemic. The Clinic adapted rapidly, making virtual appointments the primary way to stay connected and deliver care.
“For many, attending in-person appointments was stressful or simply not possible. Virtual care gave them a safe, reliable way to continue receiving support from physiotherapy and dietetics to nursing and social work,” says Sharon.
One standout innovation came from Occupational Therapist Charmain Jones, who trialled virtual home visits during lockdown. These visits allowed her to assess patients’ living environments in real time, something that is difficult to achieve in a clinic setting.
“In some cases, equipment recommendations were adjusted after seeing the home virtually, leading to better outcomes. Patients reported feeling safer and more confident at home and even showed improvements in falls hazard scores,” says Sharon.
Virtual care has also made life easier for patients juggling work, transport challenges, or mobility issues. For clinicians, it means more time focused on care, less time setting up equipment and greater flexibly across locations.
Importantly, virtual care has helped the Clinic reach patients across the entire Local Health District. While monthly outreach clinics continue in the Blue Mountains, virtual appointments are available any day of the month, bringing care closer to home for everyone.
One story that stands out for Sharon involves a patient couldn’t attend the clinic because they were caring for their spouse. Through virtual care, the Clinic provided comprehensive support, including social work assistance, to arrange respite care.
“This allowed the patient to undergo surgery and recover knowing their loved one was cared for. Every step of the journey was supported virtually, and the patient expressed deep gratitude for the help they received,” says Sharon.
Today virtual care is no longer a backup plan, but an integral model for the Multidisciplinary Orthopaedic Clinic. Research shows it’s just as effective as in-person care for this patient group. More importantly, it helps people feel seen, supported, and empowered no matter where they live or what challenges they face.
Virtual care has many benefits for patients, carers and health professionals. Learn more about virtual care and how to check if it is a suitable option for you at: www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/nbmlhd/services/virtual-care