What is We\Visit?
We\Visit provides an online platform for relatives to connect with patients and clinical staff through video calls.
How does We\Visit work?
General information
Do you have a loved one in the hospital? Is it not possible to visit? Are they quarantined because of the coronavirus? Are they in a hospital far away, or are you unable to travel? With We\Visit you can make a digital visit to your loved one in the hospital! We\Visit helps you to plan a video call so that you can see and hear each other. Stay safe, stay in contact!
How does it work?
Hospitals that offer the We\Visit service will provide you with a code to access the We\Visit website. With this code you can make appointments for a video call with your loved one. At the scheduled time, use your code to log in and to join the video call. Someone at the hospital will connect your loved one so you can stay in contact.
Making an appointment
- Use the code that the hospital gave you to login.
- Pick a time slot. Write down the time of your visit. Please keep in mind that you can only book a time slot for the current day.
- Save the code. You will need this to start the visit.
Process in the hospital
At the hospital a team of volunteers, nurses, or a loved one who is visiting will connect your call to the patient. At the time of your appointment they will bring a tablet to your loved one and connect your call. Then they will leave to give you some privacy. If you or your loved one wishes, the volunteer can stay with the patient during the video call.
Sharing an appointment
Everyone who is important to you and your loved one can join the video call. Share the appointment, link and personal code with other family members or friends that want to join. At the selected time go to the link to start the call with your loved one.
Starting the call
At the time of your appointment, go to the link that the system provided when you made the appointment. Everyone who is important to you and your loved one can join the video call. Just share the link and code.
What to do during the call
Your loved one might be very ill and perhaps they will have trouble talking. They can still hear and see you! If you are unsure what to say, just talk about what has been happening with you. They will be happy seeing and hearing you and getting a reminder of home.
What to expect during the call
Talking through We\Visit is not the same as talking when you are together. Your loved one might be very ill and they are connected to medical equipment which can be scary. The medical equipment can make all kinds of sounds, this is normal. Find out more about what you can expect at an intensive care (IC) here (in Dutch): icconnect.nl/op-de-ic
Ending a call
The time slots for calls are about 15 minutes long because it can be physically and mentally tiresome for the patient to be talking to someone or even listening to them. Volunteers, or the person attending your loved one, will end the call when the time is up. If the call ends due to a technical error, you will be asked to call again. If you want to contact the patient again, you can make another appointment for another day.
Is We\Visit for everyone?
On the one hand it can be nice to see your loved one, but on the other hand an ICU with all the bells and whistles can be an unpleasant sight. Seeing your loved one ‘at a distance’ can emphasize feelings of powerlessness. We advise you to consider whether you really want to have a video call. In any case we recommend that you make the call with someone who can support you, for example a family member or a good friend. They can also join the video call.
Children and We\Visit
- Saying nothing is no better
- State the disease and the cause of the disease (to prevent children from thinking that it is "their fault")
- A child is rarely too young to realize that "something" is going on
- Be open and honest
- Spread your information; don't give too much information at once
- First create a safe atmosphere when informing a child
- If no questions come from the child, it does not mean that the child has no questions
- Make room for a child's emotions
Coping with grief
It is possible that your loved one will die despite medical assistance. The (sudden) death of a loved one is a painful situation. It might feel surrealistic. After the loss, the grieving process will start. This period is different for everyone and takes time.
This information can support your process of loss. The pain and sadness can cause physical and/or emotional symptoms. There is no specific time period for a grieving process, which is different for every person. The death of a loved one is difficult to accept. It may be supportive to discuss with others your feelings and sadness. Do not hesitate to ask for (professional) help, for example from your general practitioner, practice assistant or social work. Below you can watch some videos about dealing with the loss of a loved one.
Not being able to say goodbye (in Dutch)Preparing for grief (in Dutch)
Corona
Probably you are on this platform because your loved one is hospitalized during the coronavirus outbreak. More background information about the coronavirus and its treatment can be found here (in Dutch): fcic.nl/corona
Finally
We hope that you and your loved ones can stay in touch using We\Visit. You can contact Slachtofferhulp Nederland (Victim Support Netherlands) if you need additional support. You can also call them on 088-7460090. This hotline is specifically for people who are/were admitted to the ICU and their family members.