Ontario's top doctor urges physicians resume in-person care, reduce virtual appointments
Ontario’s top health officials are asking doctors in the province to increase the volume of patients they see in-person, after months of virtual appointments prompted by pandemic safety measures.
At the onset of the pandemic, physicians were encouraged to shift to a virtual approach. “However, the pressures that led to prioritizing the adoption of virtual care over in-person care (e.g., lack of PPE, severity of the pandemic) have now diminished,” the officials said.
The directive to move back to in-person care was stated in a letter sent to Ontario physicians on Wednesday, on joint behalf of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, along with the Ministry of Health and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
While the letter acknowledges that many physicians are working towards “striking the right balance” between virtual and in-person care, it states that the availability of virtual appointments “should no longer pose a barrier to in-person practice.”
“Collectively we are increasingly hearing about physicians’ offices that are not providing in-person care,” the letter states.
The group of top health officials said there are limits to what can be accomplished virtually. While they did not outline a list of appointments that should be done in-person, they said physical assessments are necessary in order to make a diagnosis or treatment decision.
“There are many patients for whom the standard of care cannot be met in a solely virtual care environment.”
At Moore’s weekly COVID-19 update he clarified that the letter was “purely a recommendation” and that he didn’t believe there were any consequences outlined by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario for doctors who do not follow suit.
Moore pointed to his personal experience as a family physician as a testament to the importance of in-person care.
“I am concerned of a backlog of patients that have not had a physical exam, and have not had their heart or lungs listened to….that haven't had their blood pressure physically checked, that haven't been able to be immunized or had any basic cancer screening,” Moore said.
He said he hopes in the coming year, that backlog will be addressed.
Moore said the Ministry of Health will be monitoring this shift back to in-person care through the province’s health care billing system, which distinguishes virtual and in-person appointments.
Ontario health officials issued their statement to physicians on the same day the province logged its lowest case count since the beginning of August.
The province’s rolling seven-day average has been trending downward. On Thursday, the province logged its lowest positivity rate since August, now standing at 476, down from 565 a week ago.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
In his new book 'As Long as You Need', hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.