UBC claims virtual physician calls safely reduce in-person ER visits

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May 23, 2023

Partnering virtual physicians with nurses during 811 calls could ease the burden of in-person visits to the ER. The UBC study found that out of the 811 callers who were seen by virtual physicians, only 26% were advised to immediately go to the ER. The remaining callers were advised to seek less urgent care options, including:

  • Seeking primary care within 24 hours (9%);
  • Scheduling an appointment with a healthcare provider (30%); and
  • Trying a home treatment (31%).

The study concludes that supplementing the 811 program with virtual physician assessments can assist patients and the healthcare system by safely avoiding in-person assessment for a large proportion of urgently triaged callers.

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UBC claims virtual physician calls safely reduce in-person ER visits