Telehealth assessment and remote examination of children — formative SAQs

SAQ 1 — Febrile toddler video triage (10 marks)

A 2-year-old is booked for urgent video review with fever and reduced intake. The family is at home. You have not yet confirmed their address. ^{[1] [15]}

Questions

1. List the pre-clinical safety checks you complete before deep history, and explain why location matters. (3 marks) ^{[7] [15]}
2. Describe a remote first impression and caregiver-assisted examination sequence for this child, including what you must document as not examined. (4 marks) ^{[7] [8]}
3. The child looks well enough for home care. Outline teach-back and specific safety-net content. (3 marks) ^{[10] [11]}

Model answer

Pre-clinical checks (3). Confirm identity, parental responsibility, physical address/location, call-back number, emergency contacts, privacy of the space, and interpreter need. Location matters because mid-visit deterioration requires EMS dispatch to the correct place while you keep the family online. ^{[7] [15]}

Remote exam (4). Doorway view: appearance/interaction, work of breathing, colour. History of fever timeline, intake, wet nappies, rash, breathing, vaccines, caregiver concern. Coach RR count, chest wall view, rash mapping, hydration behaviour. Do not claim full auscultation, reliable otoscopy or complete abdominal exam if not achieved. Document limits and confidence. Uncertain ear views are not antibiotic indications by default. ^{[3] [7] [8]}

Teach-back and safety-net (3). Explain working impression and plan; ask caregiver to restate. Red flags: harder breathing, fewer wet nappies, non-rousable, non-blanching rash, persistent vomiting, caregiver still worried. State when and how to re-access care, including overnight routes. ^{[10] [11]}