Interior Health is testing a new virtual care support at Cariboo Memorial Hospital.
This virtual system will combine a consultation with an in-person physician in the hospital and another physician who will be connected virtually over a hi-definition monitor and camera set-up.
Diane Shendruk, Vice President of Clinical Operations for Interior Health North, says that this “team-based model” to patient care will be similar to seeing a physician traditionally, and all the physicians consulting virtually are licensed and registered in British Columbia.
“The physician trained in delivering virtual care will appear on screen on a mobile device, and work with the in-person nurse so the patient receives care seamlessly,” Shendruk explains. “A nurse will always be there to support the patient during the virtual consultation, and be on site if patient care is needed.”
Shendruk adds that the virtual devices and network is “quite established and a proven service” across other healthcare jurisdictions across Canada.
Research on virtual and hybrid patient care has been done since April with the help of the province, consulting with feedback from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Maritimes where these systems have been in use.
“It’s quite versatile,” Shendruk says. “The patient does have clear dialogue as does the physician on the receiving end, the interface is operated by the in person nurse. It is care very similar to having a physician at the bedside.”
Shendruk says that this new virtual care support will help “bolster and support physicians” and provide care for patients needing hospital care, while Interior Health faces physician shortages like the rest of the country.
“We have looked at this innovative solution to support in person care and our local physicians. Not to replace it. Interior Health will continue its recruitment efforts to bring and train physicians locally to Williams Lake.”
As part of recruiting efforts, Interior Health launched a new volunteer program at Cariboo Memorial that introduces high school students to the possibilities of working in healthcare, that Shendruk says has received “great interest of students” wanting to participate.
The Virtual Care Program went live on Monday, November 18 and will be evaluated in real-time through a six month period. The program will be re-evaluated with potential expansions based on the program’s outcome.
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