Methods and Systems for Online Counseling Sessions and Clinics

• US 20120320145A1
• Filed: 02/13/2012
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teladoc Health, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Justin Kahn
• Inventors: Kahn, Justin
• Granted Patent: US 8,718,245 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.08
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4025 where none of the additional parallel sessions is real time or time sensitive, e.g. downloading a file in a parallel FTP session, initiating an email or combinational services

Abstract

Methods and systems for online counseling sessions conducted over the Internet are disclosed. In some configurations, a method for remotely conducting counseling sessions between a client and an expert using an IP-based network includes providing a website accessible to the network wherein the expert and a client both have access to the website. In such configurations, upon accessing and logging into the website, the client is permitted to search a database for online experts and select an appropriate expert for a counseling session. In some configurations, the client initially completes various intake and/or registration forms in a virtual waiting room, wherein such forms are customized per the relevant expert. The method continues as an expert remotely conducts a counseling session with the client via remote means, including video conferencing. Following the counseling session, the client is automatically returned to the virtual waiting room and provided with subsequent counseling based options.

Claims

1. A method for remotely conducting counseling sessions between a client and an expert using an IP-based network, the method comprising:

providing a website accessible to the network;

an expert accessing the website;

a client accessing the website;

the client searching a list of online experts including the expert;

the client logging into the website;

the client selecting the expert for a therapy session;

the client initially completing intake and registration forms within a first virtual waiting room customized by the expert;

the expert remotely conducting a counseling session with the client using videoconferencing;

ending the counseling session;

the client automatically returning to the first virtual waiting room to review and optionally purchase items selected for the client by the expert; and

the client optionally scheduling another counseling session with the expert.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the expert accessing the emergency contact information provided by the client who appears to be in need of emergent physical, mental, social, emotional, legal, or academic care, or is in danger of self-harm or harm to others.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the expert setting billing rates for pre-booked and pay-per-minute sessions.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the expert setting the billing rates on an individual client basis.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selecting of the expert comprises selecting from a randomly ordered list of available and online experts.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the expert designating at least one of:

time available for pre-booked sessions with established clients;

time available for pay-per-minute sessions with established clients;

time available for pre-booked sessions with public clients; and

time available for pay-per-minute sessions with public clients.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the expert searching established client base with capability to filter for at least one of:

clients who have had a previous pre-booked session or clients who have had a previous pay-per minute session.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the form for privacy instructions is a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) form.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the expert taking case notes, creating documents, or sharing information that is accessible to clients

10. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the expert taking case notes, creating documents, or sharing information that is not accessible to clients.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising automatically emailing the forms completed by the client to the expert prior to first session.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the client and the expert editing their respective personal, public and billing information.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the expert sending a one-way chat message to the client.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the expert placing the client on video call waiting.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the client performing a self-evaluation report prior to a session.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising storing the self-evaluation reports over time and viewing the self-evaluation reports graphically as a function of time.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of clients participating in a group session with the expert controlling who is viewable and audible in the videoconference and which of the plurality of clients has the floor to speak in the videoconference.

18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising starting a timeout clock once both the client and the expert indicate they are ready to begin a session, whereby if the expert fails to initiate the session within a predetermined amount of time measured by the timeout clock, the client is given an option to cancel the session without charge and select another expert or reschedule another pre-booked session with the expert or another expert.

19. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the client requesting a session with the expert.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the expert accepting the request and entering a password to access the forms.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the expert confirming that the client has correctly completed the forms.

22. The method according to claim 1, further comprising querying the client whether there is a true emergency, and if so, providing local emergency contact information to the client.

23. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the client activating a privacy button thereby turning off video and audio from the session.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising allowing the client to reactivate the session by entering a password within a pre-determined amount of time.

25. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the expert digitally zooming video to observe facial expressions and body language of the client.

26. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selectively activating a semi-transparent overlay for positioning the client or the expert for centering in video.

27. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the expert activating a session hold.

28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising the expert deactivating the session hold.

30. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a button, icon, or other interface device that allows the expert to view and/or place restrictions on clients'"'"' ability to view and/or schedule appointments.

31. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a button, icon, or other interface device that permits a client to receive counseling immediately.

32. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a button, icon, or other interface device that sends an alert to available experts, wherein an expert may confirm the alert and begin a counseling session.

33. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a button, icon, or other interface device that allows clients to view and/or schedule counseling sessions with experts who are currently available.

34. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a button, icon, or other interface device that allows an expert to communicate in private with a subset of clients during a group counseling session.

35. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a button, icon, or other interface device under the control of the client that allows only a subset of clients to communicate during a group counseling session without allowing other clients to communicate.

36. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a button, icon, or other interface device under the control of the expert that allows only a subset of clients to communicate during a group counseling session without allowing other clients to communicate.

37. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the expert viewing a bill generated from prior sessions.

38. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the client downloading documents provided by the expert.

39. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an administrator blocking an expert or client from accessing the website.

40. The method according to claim 1, wherein the expert is a counselor and the method further comprises emailing the counselor'"'"'s case notes and chat records to a supervising expert.

41. A system for remotely conducting counseling sessions between a client and an expert as described herein.

42. A website portal for remotely conducting counseling sessions between a client and an expert as described herein.