Image Credit: Shutterstock
April 03, 2020 - 8:29 AM
B.C. residents can visit their family doctor virtually and have a consultation with their family doctor over the telephone or by video.
The new measure allows patients to get medical care from a doctor while still practicing physical distancing. Doctors will still provide in-person care when necessary.
"Family doctors know their patients best, they know their medical histories, their families, and understand their needs,” Doctors of B.C. president Dr. Kathleen Ross said in a media release. "Many medical issues can be assessed and treated by phone and video."
The measure aims to protect patients as well as doctors so they can continue to treat patients during the virus outbreak.
Doctors of B.C. is still urging people to call their doctor if they need an appointment.
"Although the virus is top of mind right now, people still need ongoing care and advice for acute or chronic conditions requiring treatment or medication," she said. "There is a misconception that patients shouldn’t contact their doctors for routine appointments or non-COVID-19 related illness right now—absolutely they should."
A media release from Doctors of B.C. says it is especially important for seniors, people with disabilities, and those considered high-risk, to contact their doctor for advice if they have not already done so.
Once a patient has called, a doctor will decide is an in-person visit is needed.
The media release says while doctors are not seeing people in-person as much as usual, they are still booking appointments, and people should call their doctors office as they normally would. Staff will then give instructions on how to prepare for a telephone or video conference call.
The cost is covered as a normal appointment would be by MSP.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2020