Canadians are satisfied with virtual healthcare: poll
by CM Staff
The poll also highlighted that Canadians believe virtual care will impact the cost of the health care system, improve access to specialists and timeliness of test results
OTTAWA – The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) released a national poll on June 8 showing that Canadians are embracing virtual care options and would like to see them continue after the COVID-19 crisis subsides.
The national poll conducted by Abacus Data between the 14th and 17th of May 2020 found that almost half of all Canadians have now accessed a physician using virtual care options and they are highly satisfied with the results. Those who connected with their doctor virtually during COVID-19 report a 91% satisfaction rate – 17 points higher than in-person emergency room visits.
Moving forward, 46% of Canadians who had the opportunity to use virtual care since the pandemic outbreak would prefer a virtual method as a first point of contact with their doctor.
“Physical distancing measures designed to keep Canadians safe during our fight against COVID-19 have led to the adoption of virtual care out of necessity,” said Sandy Buchman, CMA President, in a prepared statement. “The train has left the station now that Canadians have had the opportunity to access virtual care, and they’ve had an overwhelmingly positive experience when they did so. Canadians should be able to access healthcare in a timely and convenient fashion.”
The poll also highlighted that half of Canadians believe virtual care could impact the cost of the health care system, improve access to specialists (45%) and timeliness of test results (41%).
Earlier this year, a CMA-led task force issued a report outlining recommendations on how the federal government and stakeholders can improve and expand virtual care throughout Canada.
“What’s needed now is for the Federal government to facilitate a pan-Canadian framework for virtual care, with provinces and territories playing a key role in how virtual care is improved and expanded,” said Virtual Care Task Force Co-Chair and CMA Past President, Gigi Osler, in a prepared statement. “All Canadians – from urban to rural, remote and Indigenous communities – can benefit from more choice and convenience when it comes to how health care is accessed and delivered.”
