7 Common Misconceptions about Virtual Health Care
As virtual healthcare in Toronto grows in popularity, there is a lot of information floating around about it—some accurate, and some…less so. But the simple fact is that virtual healthcare can be a great option for you or your loved ones to get the care you need. In that spirit, let’s take a look at some common virtual healthcare myths and debunk them, so you can better identify if virtual care in Toronto is right for you.
Myth #1: Virtual Appointments Need to Include Video
While a visit with a virtual doctor in Toronto will likely include video (provided by secure online teleconferencing technology), it doesn’t have to. There are actually several different ways to receive virtual care. You could have the appointment take place entirely with verbal communication only. This is, of course, more difficult if you have to describe physical symptoms that would be better assessed with a visual aid, but many symptoms don’t express physically and would require the patient to describe them in detail verbally in any case.
Myth #2: I Won’t Be Able to Access Virtual Healthcare if I Have Difficulty with Computers
This is perhaps the most common and damaging myth, as it couldn’t be further from the truth. If you’ve ever called a friend or loved one with FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom, you can do this. You have nothing to fear; it’s simple, easy, and you’ll have help.
Myth #3: Online Doctors Are Less Qualified
This is another insidious myth. The truth of the matter is that you will be consulting with real doctors during your virtual care appointment. Fully qualified, experienced, knowledgeable doctors. The only difference between them and your doctor is their location during the appointment. In fact, you may actually find doctors that are more qualified to deal with your specific needs, as you’ll have a larger pool of doctors to select from, including ones with specific specialties in treating your specific symptoms. This can actually improve your level of care.
Myth #4: I Won’t Be Able to Get a Prescription from Virtual Doctors in Toronto
This is another misconception. You can actually get your prescriptions filled with your virtual doctor. These prescriptions will be sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy and medications can be either picked up or delivered to your door for free. While there may be certain limitations (MD Connected, for instance, doesn’t prescribe narcotics or controlled substances), almost every legal medication in Canada can be prescribed online. This includes, but isn’t limited to, prescriptions for:
- Acute care
- Chronic care
- Mental health
- Women’s and men’s health
Myth #5: Virtual Care Is Expensive
If you’re looking for virtual healthcare in Toronto and are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), then it’s free! Just like all medical services in Canada, you won’t be paying to see an online doctor for OHIP-covered services. That said, if you’re from out of province, you may need to pay a fee, just like you would for all other healthcare services. In Ontario, that fee typically varies between $50 and $150.
Myth #6: My Health Information Won’t Be Secure Online
There has been a lot of progress made towards protecting patient information online. All teleconferencing technology employed by your virtual healthcare clinic is designed to protect patient information and adheres 100% to Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). That means your online consultations are private and your information is protected.
Myth #7: You Should Only Access Virtual Healthcare for Emergencies
Your virtual doctor can answer any and all questions you’d present to your general practitioner. In fact, this common virtual healthcare myth can be dangerous, as your emergencies should be taken to the emergency room, not online. You should treat virtual healthcare more or less the way you would your family doctor or a walk-in clinic: there to handle your day-to-day symptoms and health concerns/questions.
MD Connected: Your Partner for Virtual Healthcare in Toronto
Now that you know what virtual healthcare really is, you’re ready to contact MD Connected. We are a leader in delivering quality virtual care as well as providing telemedicine clinics for patients who prefer a more in-person experience. When you choose MD Connected as your healthcare provider, you’ll get personalized virtual care that will help you get the treatment you need for your symptoms. And you’ll have access to telemedicine clinics across Canada that are designed to help you feel better, faster. Tens of thousands of Canadians have already benefited from MD Connected, accessing general consultations, prescription renewal, sexual health, mental wellness, travel health, and sick notes and forms. Our team is led by a diverse group of doctors with varying backgrounds, and we provide our specialty services in multiple languages. To learn more about MD Connected, contact us by visiting www.mdconnected.ca or e-mail us at mydoc@mdconnected.ca.
