As part of the Ontario government’s response to COVID-19, Infoway is working with Ontario Health (OTN) to expand access to digital tools that will allow primary care providers across the province to enable e-visits with patients via phone, video and secure messaging.
Providing enhanced access to care, the investment has supported:
- The Ontario Virtual Care Clinic — a free-to-patient, easy-to-use, safe and secure online service that provides video and audio access to a family doctor to any Ontario resident with a valid OHIP number for simple health requests. The clinic is available today at https://seethedoctor.ca/.
- The expansion of the eVisit Primary Care project will increase patient access to their primary care providers through virtual solutions (i.e. secure messaging, video visits).
The funding provided by Infoway to support these projects is aligned with the province’s long-term Digital First for Health Strategy and will also help Ontario Health Teams improve access to care and integration of care in the future. These new virtual care options will also help reduce health system pressures and keep people out of hospitals by allowing for virtual appointments at home.
Quotes
“COVID-19 is driving an increased role and demand for virtual care options – to protect both clinicians and their patients. Infoway is proud to be a part of the solution, working with the Ontario government and Ontario Health, to connect the people of Ontario to the care they need, when and where they need it.” -- Michael Green, President and CEO, Infoway
“Patients love virtual care options, whether it’s the convenience of messaging with a doctor, or saving time and money by not having to travel great distances for medical appointments. With the rising number of COVID-19 cases and the increased need for physical distancing, these demands have only increased. Expanding virtual visits and creating a virtual clinic are important tools to ensuring all Ontarians have access to the care they need.” -- Dr. Ed Brown, Chief Executive Officer, OTN at Ontario Health
About the Ontario Virtual Care Clinic
The Ontario Virtual Care Clinic is delivered through a province-wide collaboration between Ontario Health (OTN), Ontario Medical Association (OMA), OntarioMD (OMD) and Infoway, with support from the Government of Ontario. Infoway provided funding to Ontario Health (OTN) for the technical platform, delivered by Novari. The OMA and OntarioMD are supporting the initiative by recruiting and scheduling physicians to staff the