Cutting funding for virtual care – The wrong move

As reported in the Toronto Star, provincial funding for virtual care provided by emergency room physicians will stop at the end of March. This move signals a step back in the accessibility of healthcare services. During the peak of the pandemic, virtual care emerged as a lifeline, allowing patients to receive timely consultations without risking exposure to the virus. It also proved to be a valuable tool for managing healthcare resources efficiently.

The discontinuation of funding for virtual care services undermines the advances made in telemedicine. It may disproportionately affect those who have come to rely on it the most, such as patients with mobility issues, those living in remote areas, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Virtual care has the potential to be part of a long-term solution to healthcare accessibility, and cutting funds could lead to a regression in patient care standards.

In order to advocate for the continuation of these services, healthcare professionals and patients alike must come together to demonstrate the value of virtual care. Data collection on patient outcomes, satisfaction rates, and cost-effectiveness can provide compelling evidence for policymakers. There is a clear need for a hybrid model of healthcare that incorporates both in-person and virtual care options to serve the diverse needs of the population in Ontario.