A 27% reported rise in Canadian paediatric emergency department (ED) visits was observed between 2010 and 2014, despite hospital admission rates remaining consistent, raising concerns surrounding quality of care, misuse, and overcrowding in EDs.1,2 Children who have high access to their registered primary care physician (PCP), meaning their reported ability to schedule an appointment with their PCP was higher, are 9% less likely to visit an ED compared with children who have lowest access are.3 Virtual care has emerged as a potential solution to address barriers to accessing healthcare by increasing efficiency and sustainability, enabling the provision of high-quality care, fostering equity, and decreasing cost.4 Virtual care has not yet been widely adopted in Canadian paediatric EDs. A 58% decline in paediatric ED visits was observed in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.5,6
Responding to the ongoing need for care and the inherent health risks posed by the pandemic, Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) piloted a virtual urgent care (VUC) service delivery model. This was facilitated through secure video conferencing (via Webex) and self-appointment booking technologies. Further collaboration with Ontario Health led to service expansion across the province. The benefits of this model include diverting in-person ED visits through same day assessment and treatment and increasing access to care at patients’ and families’ convenience.
To attend the virtual clinic, patients must have a valid OHIP card and call or request an appointment with a paediatrician through the Urgent Care Ontario website.
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