Nova Scotians on doctor waitlist can now access virtual health-care service
Nova Scotians who are currently on the province's doctor waitlist can now access free, online medical appointments through Virtual Care Nova Scotia (VirtualCareNS).
Beginning Wednesday, anyone on Nova Scotia's Need a Family Practice registry can sign up for the service.
Previously, people had to receive an email invitation to use the virtual-care option.
"We want Nova Scotians to be able to access care when and where they need it. As we continue to recruit more health-care workers and find innovative health-care solutions, we are pleased that all Nova Scotians on the registry will be able to use VirtualCareNS," said Nova Scotia Health Minister Michelle Thompson in a news release Wednesday.
"VirtualCareNS is free, effective, and a convenient way for Nova Scotians [to] get medical care."
VirtualCareNS was launched as a pilot in May 2021. Since then, the province says it has offered more than 21,000 virtual appointments, including care and advice for mental health concerns, prescription renewals, skin problems, infections, minor injuries, joint pain and other issues.
The province says the service will offer about 150 to 200 virtual appointments each weekday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., as well as Monday evenings until 7 p.m.
"VirtualCareNS is a readily available option for people who don't have a regular family doctor or nurse practitioner to access the care they need. The unique design of this program, combining virtual care with an in-person follow-up option if needed, has garnered national and international attention as a leading practice," said Gail Tomblin Murphy, the vice-presidentof research, innovation and discovery, and chief nurse executive at Nova Scotia Health.
Currently, there are 61 primary care providers delivering care through VirtualCareNS, including 54 family doctors and seven nurse practitioners. The province says more providers are also being recruited.
As of Aug. 1, more than 105,000 Nova Scotians had their names on the Need a Family Practice registry.
According to Dr. Gail Tomblin Murphy, the chief nurse executive with Nova Scotia Health, the average wait time for the service is about 110 minutes.
"That's not bad," she said. "About 60 per cent of them will say, 'You know what? I probably would have gone to an emergency, but I'm glad I don't have to.'"
Nova Scotia resident Jim Deleskie hasn't had a family doctor in years. He says he isn't against the virtual-care option, but feels there will be cases where it may not work.
"Sometimes things don't always get resolved within that 15-minute appointment, and you have to go back and go back and go back. And you actually need a doctor for that," said Deleskie.
"I do feel like it's a little bit of a stop-gap model because we don't have doctors right now."
Dr. Margaret Fraser, a physician in Cape Breton, admits the virtual service isn't necessarily a complete solution, but more like a Band-Aid for the time being.
"I'm wondering if the person who is talking with them is going to have access to their bloodwork, access to any of the testing that they have had done recently?” she asked.
Tomblin Murphy says the virtual-care model is likely here to stay. She adds it's another example of COVID-19 teaching us some things can be done remotely.
"And if you need to see somebody in-person, then we arrange for you to go see somebody in-person as well," Tomblin Murphy said.
Tombin Murphy says about 20 per cent of people seen in virtual care end up following up with in-person appointments.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.