How Virtual Healthcare Benefits Ontarians

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual healthcare has seen a tremendous growth in popularity. Due to social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders put in place by the Government in March 2020, healthcare providers have had to pivot their approach in delivering safe and accessible services to their patients. On the other hand, patients have embraced the integration of technology as it reduces the time and money spent commuting and sitting in waiting rooms, in addition to minimizing the potential exposure to other individuals who may be feeling unwell.

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, only 30% of Physicians in Ontario provided virtual care services in February 2020, however, as of March 2020 that number has increased significantly to over 80%. Canada Health Infoway and the Canadian Medical Association conducted a recent survey in 2021 with 2,000 Physicians to assess their use of healthcare technology in delivering services virtually. They found that almost all respondents stated that they will continue to deliver care virtually post-pandemic, with 64% stating that they will either maintain or increase their current level of use.

So, is virtual healthcare here to stay?

Last month, the Ontario Medical Association released the highlights of their new three-year agreement (April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024) with the province, which included a permanent framework for virtual care services. Due to the positive feedback from both patients and medical service providers, and an increase in demand for accessible care, Ontario has embraced telemedicine and will be allocating budget and resources to support this program.

Here Are 3 Ways Virtual Care Can Benefit You

1. Save Time

Gone are the days of sitting idle in traffic, spending time in waiting rooms, and taking time off of work to attend medical appointments. Let's be honest, we have all experienced spending a significant amount of time travelling and waiting for our appointment only to see the Doctor for a whole 5 minutes. Save those PTO benefits for vacations or to spend extra time with your family - leverage the opportunity to access medical professionals via text, video, or chat directly from a mobile phone or computer.

2. Reduce Transmission

By being able to see a medical professional from the comfort and safety of your home, you minimize the risk of others transmitting contagious illnesses to you while commuting or waiting inside a medical clinic, and vice versa. This is especially important with the flu, COVID, or the seasonal cold.

3. Save Costs

Gas prices have been rising at a significant rate in the past month - meaning that commute to your Doctor's office is costing you more than it was previously. If you have a valid Ontario, B.C., or Alberta health card, you can get your virtual consultation covered through your province's healthcare system, meaning there is no charge to you! So why not stay home and save money?

How RhynoCare Can Help

RhynoCare is a Toronto-based healthcare start-up that provides both virtual consultations and mobile at-home services with qualified healthcare professionals. Virtual consultations are covered by OHIP with a valid healthcard, while services such as at-home blood work and physical assessments start at $79.99 plus tax. Connect with our customer service team to schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained healthcare providers at 416-830-8181 or info@rhynocare.com.