Real-time virtual supports improving health equity and access in British Columbia

Abstract

In British Columbia (BC) and across the territories of over 200 First Nations and 39 Métis Nation Chartered communities, the COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a group of partner organizations to rapidly establish seven virtual care pathways under the Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS) network. They aimed to address inequitable access and multiple barriers to healthcare faced by rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, and provide pan-provincial services. Mixed-method evaluation assessed implementation, patient and provider experience, quality improvement, cultural safety, and sustainability. Pathways supported 38,905 patient encounters and offered 29,544 hours of peer-to-peer support from April 2020 to March 2021. Mean monthly encounter growth was 178.0% (standard deviation = 252.1%). Ninety percent of patients were satisfied with the care experience; 94% of providers enjoyed delivering virtual care. Consistent growth suggests that the virtual pathways met the needs of providers and patients in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, and supported virtual access to care in BC.