NBHC Care Experience
August 16, 2019
This institute memo makes a case for virtual care as having the potential to improve both quality of life for patients and access to care in remote areas, in addition to increasing the healthcare system's efficiency. It recommends 10 steps towards virtualization of healthcare in Canada that it believes any government could implement within four years. They include:
- Provincial regulatory colleges making it compulsory for every provider to have a secure email address;
- Including virtual-care services as part of hospital on-call responsibilities; and
- Making emailed administrative inquiries, electronic renewals of prescriptions and on-line scheduling part of the accountability agreements for primary-care practices.
A recent CMA report found a majority of Canadians are interested in virtual care, with many believing it would be a step in the right direction for the healthcare system that will lead to improved access, more timely care and better healthcare overall.