Virtual Care with Own Doctor Reduces ER Visits: New Study, Canada

A new study has revealed that virtual care appointments with a patient’s own family doctor are more effective in reducing emergency department visits compared to appointments with an outside physician. The study, led by physician Lauren Lapointe-Shaw from the University Health Network, analyzed data from approximately 5.2 million Ontario residents who had utilized virtual care between April 2021 and March 2022. The research found that patients who received virtual care from an outside physician were 66% more likely to visit the emergency department within the next week, in comparison to those who had a virtual appointment with their own doctor. Additionally, the study found that patients who used a direct-to-consumer telemedicine option, where patients interacted with new physicians through virtual walk-in clinics, were nearly three times more likely to visit the emergency department within seven days of their appointment, as opposed to those who consulted with their own physician. The results suggest that virtual care is most effective when it maintains an ongoing relationship between patient and doctor. However, the study only focused on virtual care appointments made by individuals who already had a family doctor. The reasons for patients seeking virtual care with an outside physician instead of their own were not explored, highlighting the need for further research. The researchers emphasized the importance of integrating virtual care with in-person care and ensuring physicians have access to patients’ complete health history to minimize potential risks and disruptions in the healthcare system. With over 6.5 million people in Canada currently without a family doctor, the study’s findings underscore the potential benefits and challenges of virtual care.