(Amina Zafar/ CBC News) —Canadians embraced virtual health-care options like phone or video appointments during the COVID-19 crisis, according to a new poll released by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).
The survey released on Monday suggested 47 per cent of Canadians have used “virtual care” such as calls, email , texts or video during the pandemic. Of these, 91 per cent said they were very satisfied with the experience.
“Canadians were forced to physically distance, to isolate themselves, to stay at home,” said CMA president Dr. Sandy Buchman of the COVID-19 restrictions. At the same time, virtual care increased and the CMA wants to see it expand.
“We need to seize the moment. We need to find if there’s a silver lining on this,” Buchman told CBC News.
Buchman, a palliative care physician for people who are homeless in Toronto, called for improved access to cellphone and high-speed internet service in rural, remote and Indigenous communities — while addressing issues including quality of care and privacy. (…)