Primary Care Alberta’s Virtual MD has proven effective for triage, directing patients and keeping Albertans out of emergency rooms, finds a study published in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine.
More than half of patients who were assessed by Virtual MD physicians followed through on recommendations to seek the indicated care since the service began in 2022, according to the study. Patients who were referred to primary care but chose to visit an emergency department were found to, in most cases, present with conditions best addressed by a family physician.
“This research illustrates what our Health Link nurses and physicians see every day: Virtual MD is effectively meeting its primary goal of giving patients an alternative to visiting an emergency department,” said Patricia Chambers, executive lead of patient navigation and system integration with PCA. “Ensuring Albertans access the right care is good for patients and reduces strain on the health-care system.”
Virtual MD directs callers to HealthLink 811, which connects patients with a registered nurse or clinical staff member. This health-care worker then provides an assessment to determine whether they’re in need of further assessment from a physician.
On average, 125 Health Link callers are referred to a physician daily through the Virtual MD program, said PCA.
“The virtual option to meet with patients enables us to connect with pockets of Albertans who may struggle to access these services: those with mobility or transportation issues, individuals in rural areas or those who have limited access to care,” said Dr. Genelle Dingeldein, a Virtual MD physician. “We can provide immediate advice in real time and help patients navigate how to self-manage their symptoms or when to seek higher levels of care when appropriate.”
The service, which is available seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., involves 90 physicians.
