Not everyone feels new virtual care pilot program in Nova Scotia will work for them
There are more than 70,000 people without a family doctor in Nova Scotia, but soon people in the province will have the option to see a physician virtually.
"It's a solution, but I don't think it's good enough for everybody," says Bernie Larusic, a senior's advocate in Sydney.
Larusic adds he's concerned about the province's new plan.
The goal is to make sure every person on the wait-list for a doctor has access to care, while recruitment efforts are enhanced.
"It will fill the gap for the people who like talking on the phone. Seniors like talking on the phone, but not to doctors. They want to sit with them and the doctors holds their hand and tells them what they're doing," says Larusic.
The premier's office says if someone's health concerns can't be resolved virtually, they'll be given options for in-person care.
"I think having virtual care running for people who have no family doctors is better than nothing, but I don't think it's a complete solution," says Dr. Margaret Fraser.
The province is planning to spend $1.3 million to expand the virtual care pilot program to the health authority's central and eastern zones starting in December, after the program launched in the northern and western zones last spring.
Dr. Margaret Fraser says virtual care is good for some things, but others cannot be done over the phone.
"The physician population will have to pick up the slack on this to do these virtual visits and I think it will be difficult to find enough physicians to cover some 77,000 patients on the registry."
Fraser is hoping virtual care will help elevate pressures felt in ER departments, while others are hoping this isn't a Band-Aid solution.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.