Virtual Care: Is It Really Saving Doctors Time?

A recent study published in BMC Primary Care suggests that the surge in virtual care, while offering convenience, has not alleviated pressure on physicians.

Researchers found that virtual care primarily involves doctors speaking with patients via phone, which consumes doctor's time similarly to in-person appointments. This means that without increasing the number of available doctors, the issue of limited access persists for the approximately 17 percent of Canadians lacking a primary care physician.

The study also highlights how current payment structures may impede the effectiveness of virtual care. Payment models often incentivize face-to-face consultations, and some billing codes require direct patient interaction. While phone calls are now billable, complex or lengthy calls receive the same compensation as shorter ones, unlike in-person visits where longer durations can be billed differently.

Additionally, doctors are financially encouraged to provide services themselves rather than delegating to other healthcare professionals like nurses, even when those professionals specialize in areas such as diabetes management. This can lead to perceived inefficiencies where virtual care teams' effectiveness might inadvertently reduce doctors' billing opportunities.

To enhance virtual care's utility, researchers suggest a cultural shift to integrate more healthcare team members like nurses and pharmacists. Expanding beyond phone calls to include secure messaging and video consultations could also improve accessibility and efficiency, as many respondents noted improved efficiency with virtual care's expansion.