Virtual care is now a core part of our publicly funded healthcare system. As we transition out of the pandemic, we have the opportunity to re-envision how we meet the needs of patients and physicians by creating a provincial strategy for the integration of in-person and virtual care.
It is time to reimagine the future of care for British
Columbians and the future of work for physicians.
EQUITY
Every virtual care policy decision must be made with an “equity-first” lens, so that it does not exacerbate inequities among underserved and marginalized communities. While virtual care can address some equity and access concerns, social and digital determinants of health can create significant barriers to accessing virtual healthcare.
PATIENT AND PHYSICIAN EXPERIENCE OF CARE
The integration of virtual and in-person care provides an opportunity to design a health system that is truly focused on the needs of the patient. Similarly, we also need to create more humane working environments for physicians as we transition out of the pandemic. It’s about recognizing that both patients and physicians need, and together make, a medical home.
PRINCIPLE-BASED, MODALITY NEUTRAL REMUNERATION
“Care is care,” whether it is delivered in-person, via telephone, video or another modality. What is important is the ability to meet a patient’s needs, not the modality of how that care is delivered. The choice of modality needs to be made by the patient and physician together in order to best meet the clinical, social and cultural needs of patients.
QUALITY AND SAFETY
Complex quality and safety concerns cannot be solved with changes to physician remuneration alone. As we transition from “pandemic appropriate care” to “post-pandemic appropriate care,” we must develop a shared understanding with patients, physicians and other stakeholders about how in-person and virtual care can together support safe, quality care.
We cannot go back to our pre-pandemic ‘normal’ in healthcare because normal wasn’t good enough for patients or for physicians. Together, we can ensure that virtual care is a tool that creates a better tomorrow for all British Columbians.