Run a Telehealth video call
Carepatron's built-in video calls work in the browser, no install required for clients. The waiting room is automatic, the join link is in their email, and AI Scribe runs in the sidebar if you want it.
Start the call from the calendar
Open the appointment on Calendar and click Start video call (clients see Join video call).
The first time in a new browser, grant camera and microphone permissions: Safari under Settings → Camera/Microphone → Allow, Chrome via the settings icon in the address bar next to the refresh icon. Refresh the browser after granting, then click join again.
The waiting room
The waiting room is built in and automatic; there's no toggle to disable it. A client who clicks their join link early sees 'Please wait for the host to start this meeting'. The moment you click Start video call, they can join.
For group sessions at their participant limit, additional joiners see Ask to Join, and you admit, deny, or admit-all from the Waiting to join panel.
AI Scribe alongside the call
The AI Scribe sidebar sits on the right of the call. Leave it open and it transcribes in the background, then auto-creates a note on the client's record after the call ends. Or close it with the right-arrow for a clean call without transcription.
AI settings (note template, output language, perspective, verbosity) can change before, during, or after the call; they apply when the note is generated. AI note-taking is included on the Free plan.
Client experience and equipment
Clients don't install anything. They click the join link in their confirmation email or reminder, or open the appointment from their portal dashboard. Each join link is tied to its session, so an old link from a previous appointment won't get them in.
Bandwidth: 0.35 Mbps minimum for a stable call, 10 Mbps is comfortable, and a practice running several simultaneous calls should plan for 35 Mbps+.
Five telehealth patterns from real practices.
Telehealth is one feature; how you use it varies a lot. Pick what fits.
AI Scribe on, sidebar open, default template = SOAP. Note is drafted by the time the call ends.
Capacity = 6 in the service. Carepatron auto-routes 7th and 8th joiners to 'Ask to Join'; admin decides whether to admit.
AI Scribe off (audio-only sessions don't benefit). Manual notes after the call.
15-min telehealth follow-ups, no recording. Client just joins from the email link, you both wrap up, note is one paragraph.
Plus or Advanced: invite a stenographer as a participant, captions stream via the sidecar method for hard-of-hearing clients.
Why can't my client reuse their video call link from a previous appointment?
Each appointment's join link is tied to that session, so a link from a previous appointment won't admit them. Clients should use the join link from the current appointment's confirmation email or reminder, or open the upcoming appointment from their client portal dashboard.
How do I grant camera and microphone permissions in Safari?
Safari → Settings → Camera → Allow, then Microphone → Allow, then refresh the browser. In Chrome, click the settings icon in the address bar (next to the refresh icon) → Camera and Microphone → Allow.
What internet speed do I need for a good telehealth call?
Minimum 0.35 Mbps; 10 Mbps is more comfortable. For multiple simultaneous calls in one office, plan for 35 Mbps+.
Can I disable the waiting room?
No, the waiting room is automatic and applies to all appointment types on all plans. Once you start the call, clients can join immediately.
What's the Ask-to-Join feature?
When a group session reaches its booking capacity, additional joiners see Ask to Join. You review them in the Waiting to join panel and choose Admit, Deny, or Admit all.
Is real-time captioning available?
Yes, CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) is supported on Plus and Advanced. A stenographer joins the call as a participant and streams captions via a third-party service (the sidecar method).
Does AI Scribe work during a Carepatron telehealth call?
Yes, the AI Scribe sidebar appears automatically on the right of the call. Leave it open to transcribe, close it for a clean call. AI note-taking is on every plan including Free.