Will virtual doctor visits continue post-pandemic?

Hundreds of thousands of Ontarians have become used to not going to the actual doctor’s office and instead, having a virtual visit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While medical professionals say virtual care helps patients access health care, they are concerned that not everyone is benefiting equitably.

“When you think about convenience and ease about connecting with a provider and a doctor, that’s helpful. It eliminates the need for example for travel potentially to and from a doctors office,” said Dr. Adam Kassam, President of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA).

A study by the Canadian Medical Association found almost all Canadian physicians plan on using virtual care after the pandemic. Of the 2,000 physicians took part, 94 per cent said they currently use virtual care.

More than 70 per cent believe virtual care improves patient access and quality care. While it’s an option of convenience, there are some issues.

Health Equity Lead at Kensington Health Dr. Naheed Dosani adds those experiencing poverty who don’t have access to technology.

“We have to remember that there are many people out there in our communities who do not have access to the kind of technologies that allow them to participate in virtual care. Not everyone has a smartphone, not everyone has high-speed Wi-Fi,” said Dr. Dosani.

Dr. Dosani said there are also people in the community with mental health and mental illness who sometimes need extra support to get that kind of access.

“There’s often an assumption that people who live in poverty are people who don’t want to use technology … but we find out the vast majority of people are ready to participate whether it’s virtual calls by voice or camera,” he explained.

Prior to the pandemic, the proportion of virtual healthcare visits in Ontario was small but still growing in 2018-2019. The Ontario Telemedicine Network reported that more than 350,000 people had more than one million virtual visits, up more than one-third from the year before. That number has likely climbed much higher during the pandemic.

Dr. Kassam says virtual care should and will continue to be an option,but not the only one.

“We’re trying to collectively determine the right dose of virtual care. Just like medication, it has an intensity … it has a duration and ultimately, we want to select the right patient for that treatment,” said Dr. Kassam. “Virtual care is no different.”

Last October, the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Ministry of Health urged doctors to resume providing in-person care, but the OMA responded saying it had played a critical role in helping people during the height of the pandemic.

Dr. Kassam says Ontario doctors are using temporary OHIP virtual care billing codes that are set to expire in September.

The OMA is advocating to make these permanent and is also urging the government to consider partnering with Internet Service Providers to provide a reduced service rate for those struggling to pay, which would partially address accessibility issues.