Virtual care: The future of care delivery

Initially a temporary measure adopted in a crisis, virtual care has proven itself to be something more: not only is it an important tool for the times – but for the future of healthcare delivery. 

Virtual care has revealed new levels of comfort, convenience and efficiency possible in healthcare delivery. It enables access to quality care for all – especially those with accessibility barriers. Virtual care reduces the risk of exposure, which can help keep everyone safe. And it makes physicians and other healthcare providers more agile and able to adapt in these dynamically changing times. 

Virtual care momentum shows no sign of slowing.

Considering the many benefits, it’s not surprising that the surging uptick of virtual care is not slowing down. 

As of June 2021, virtual visits accounted for 50% of patient-reported visits with their family doctor.  In a recent survey of nearly 2,000 physicians conducted for Canada Health Infoway and the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) almost all respondents say they will continue to use virtual care after the pandemic, and 64% say they will maintain or increase their use.

Patients too appear to be leaning to virtual care as a preferred alternative. 46% of patients who were offered a choice of in-person and virtual care chose to see their doctor through video conferencing.¹ 

Keeping the patient at the centre of care.

Of course, there are times when remote care cannot replace an in-person appointment, such as when a physical examination is required. Not surprisingly, the greatest challenge experienced by 80% of physicians using virtual care is in virtually examining patients.² 

But virtual care can still enable personal interaction and keep the patient at the centre of care. 

TELUS EMR Virtual Visit is an EMR-integrated solution that is seamlessly embedded within a clinic’s ecosystem. EMR Virtual Visit not only enables physicians to see their patients virtually, it preserves documentation within a single source, and supports continuity of care between the patient and a dedicated healthcare team. 

As in an in-clinic appointment, patients arrive in the virtual waiting room. They are greeted by clinic staff members who gather information, perform triage and transfer them to a healthcare professional. 

During the visit, physicians can review the patient’s chart, take notes, share files and live chat with the patient, simultaneously – without having to log into a separate tool. 

While taking a pulse isn’t possible, a family doctor will be able to detect changes in physical appearance, or notice irregular breathing patterns. Observations such as these can be used to triage patients.

If a closer look is required (e.g., a mole that is concerning), the patient can take a mobile photograph and send it directly to the physician – who can then save it right in the patient’s chart. 

If the patient wants a friend or relative present, or the physician wants the opinion of another care team member, the virtual visit can be conducted with multiple participants. It’s as easy as forwarding an email with a link to others so they can join the visit.

At the end of the virtual visit, all documentation, photos, chat text, and even start and end times, are saved within the patient’s chart in the clinic’s Electronic Medical Record system. 

See how TELUS EMR Virtual Visit works.

As virtual care becomes a more permanent part of our healthcare system, it will continue to evolve to enhance the care experience. The key is ensuring the technology remains focused on preserving the cycle of care, always keeping the patient at the core.

To add TELUS EMR Virtual Visit, visit our website to learn more.

¹https://www.infoway-inforoute.ca/en/component/edocman/3828-canadians-health-care-experiences-during-covid-19/
²https://www.infoway-inforoute.ca/en/news-events-blog/news/2021-news-releases/majority-of-canadian-physicians-planning-to-use-virtual-care-post-pandemic