Dr. Hance Clarke, a pain medicine physician at Centenary Pain Clinic in Toronto, sees the value of virtual care for patients, especially those who would otherwise travel hours for an in-person appointment. Virtual care is “so much more patient-centric” than traditional care models, he says.
Dr. Clarke’s practice is now 60 to 70 per cent virtual, with much of the follow-up care done remotely. This offers convenience and time-savings for patients, who no longer need to travel for routine check-ins.
Expanding Access to Care
A study published by Dr. Clarke and colleagues in 2021 found that rural patients were more likely to engage with a pain management app than urban patients. The app allowed patients to track their symptoms and receive daily reflections, with 60 per cent of rural patients using the app compared to 25 to 30 per cent of urban patients.
This study highlighted the need for remote access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual care, making it possible for patients to receive care from the comfort of their own homes.
Dr. Clarke believes that virtual care can help offset physician “overwhelm” by allowing for more efficient and kind interactions with patients. Virtual visits can also solve the problem of missed appointments due to illness or travel constraints.
Private Telehealth Services
Private telehealth companies like Maple, Raven, and Rocky are expanding access to care for patients who may not have a family doctor or face long wait times. These companies offer access to expert providers for a monthly fee, along with the cost of treatments.
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Dr. Clarke notes that the public healthcare system can only support so much, and private telehealth services can help fill the gap. With the population growing and aging, there will be more pressure on resources, and private telehealth can provide an alternative for patients who need ongoing care.
Research by the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health projects that millions more Ontarians will be living with chronic illness in the next 20 years, putting more pressure on the provincial healthcare system.
Private telehealth can offer practitioners more flexibility in their professional lives, whether it’s working from a home office or combining public clinic time with working for a private virtual clinic. Career opportunities are growing, and Dr. Clarke believes that this will impact which specialty medical students choose to pursue.
For example, medical students who want to work in areas like surgery or interventional cardiology may not be able to work virtually, but those who want to specialize in behavioural health or mental health may be able to start a predominantly virtual practice.
Dr. Clarke’s team is now looking at the data from randomized controlled trials on the use of virtual care in the post-surgical setting, where patients have reported positive feedback on the convenience of meeting with their care team from home.
Continuity of Care
Virtual care can also provide continuity of care, which is essential for patients with chronic conditions, Dr. Clarke says, as it allows for regular follow-ups and monitoring of symptoms.
