Dr. Danielle Martin, a family physician with Women's College Hospital in Toronto, has been delivering virtual care as part of COVID-19 precautions. Since then, broader uptake in Canada's publicly funded health care system has been slow, and private virtual health apps have taken off. Before the pandemic, about four per cent of primary care visits in Canada were done virtually (phone, video, text or app). Less duplication of testsAt least one study has found that virtual health care has benefits. T he Canadian Medical Association's virtual care task force recommended in February that governments make virtual care a priority, with common safety and quality standards across the country.

Source: CBC News May 06, 2020 08:00 UTC