Will there be guidance/advocacy at a VCH level to help define what the appropriate use of virtual care is? Will the Medical Services Plan (MSP) allow physicians to keep a hybrid model of family medicine with both in person and virtual visits?
The short answer is yes to both questions. Patients are impacted by policies set out by the Ministry, the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Divisions of Family Practice. Work is going on between these partner groups on how to best quantify and determine the best way forward.
We’re seeing the impact of virtual care on our urgent and primary care centres and our emergency departments. We’re currently looking at our data including standards of care, best practice and patient preferences, and discussing the barriers and how to make sure facilities are available for in-person care (infection prevention and control, capacity, physical distancing).
It’s safe to say that virtual care will remain part of the care we offer. This may be a hybrid model as patients do prefer virtual care in some instances, particularly in rural/remote communities. Discussions about what the MSP and billing codes will look like are ongoing.
This is a topic that’s being discussed broadly and we will get updates as we go.
Medical staff Q&A were generated during July 21 Medical Staff Forum. The answer was provided by Dr. Chad Kim Sing. Watch the YouTube recording of the July 21 Medical Staff Forum. The a/v recording, full transcripts and updated list of Q&A are now available on the intranet site.
