IT setup for group video calls

Overall idea

Group video calls with LESS than four people (including the patient)

You can use either AccuRx or Microsoft teams

AccuRx allows FOUR people to join the group video call. For example, you can have the patient, the GP tutor and only TWO other students on a group video call. Other limitations of AccuRx include; no hands up function, no chat function and reduced quality of video calls. Using Microsoft teams (see below) can overcome these limitations.

AccuRx - how to set up a group video call

Group video calls with MORE than four people.

You will need to use Microsoft Teams for more than four people. To do this, you need to set up Microsoft Teams, Outlook and a patient text messenger (AccuRx). Currently, Microsoft teams don’t allow you to make a direct call to a non-NHS email account (students will not have an NHS.net account). The workaround to this problem is to schedule a meeting using outlook. You can then send a link to the patient using AccuRx.


You can use AccuRx to send the meeting invite and obtain consent from the patient.


Step 1 - Setting up Microsoft teams

Go to step 2 if you have done this already.


What you will need to do

  1. Set up a Microsoft Teams Account

  2. Download the desktop version


Currently, Microsoft teams do not allow you to make a direct call to a non-NHS email account. The workaround to this problem is to schedule a meeting using outlook. You can then send a link to the patient using AccuRx.


Instructions

Microsoft Teams is free for anyone with an NHS email account

Go to Microsoft teams sign-in page and enter your NHS email in the login section. Use your existing NHS email password.

Download the desktop version of Microsoft teams.


Step 2 - Schedule a meeting using Microsoft Outlook.

Go to step 3 if you have done this already.

What you will need to do

  1. Use the desktop version of Outlook

  2. Schedule the teaching session using Outlook (look for the Teams icon) and invite the students

  3. Send the link to the patient using AccuRx

How to schedule a meeting for TEAMS using outlook and get a link to share


Step 3 - Joining a video call.

Go to step 4 if you have done this already.

Click on the meeting link to join the video call. You can access this link from your calendar or email.

If you do not have a Microsoft account, then join using the 'web instead' option.

‘Web instead’ will be the preferred option for some students and patients.



Step 4 - find out more about Microsoft Teams

Microsoft teams - guidance and features


Step 5 (optional) - inviting patients to join

Downloadable documents

How to set up the IT
IT setup for group video calls for teaching students