Enhancing Rural and Indigenous Healthcare through Virtual Care Networks
A groundbreaking virtual care network in British Columbia improves healthcare access for rural and Indigenous communities through real-time virtual support, fostering equity and cultural safety.
A pioneering virtual care network in British Columbia is revolutionizing healthcare delivery for rural, remote, and First Nations communities. This initiative, detailed in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, leverages real-time virtual support (RTVS) to bridge gaps in access to medical services. Launched in March 2020, the publicly funded RTVS is designed to complement existing healthcare structures, making services more equitable and community-centered.
The network is a collaborative effort among the Rural Coordination Center of British Columbia (RCCbc), the First Nations Health Authority, the B.C. Ministry of Health, and the University of British Columbia's Digital Emergency Medicine Unit. Its primary aim is to dismantle barriers to care by offering virtual services rooted in kindness, cultural safety, and responsiveness, tailored to the needs of diverse communities.
RTVS encompasses peer-to-peer consultations that connect rural healthcare providers with specialists, culturally safe team-based services for First Nations populations, and an 8-1-1 virtual physician helpline for urgent health concerns. These services have seen significant growth, with over 20,000 peer encounters, 12,000 appointments for First Nations patients annually, and 176,000 calls to the virtual physician line. This expansion has led to improved access to primary and emergency care, retention of rural practitioners, and stronger trust-based relationships.
Healthcare experts highlight that virtual care services should be inclusive, accessible, and seen as a supplement—rather than a replacement—to in-person care. They emphasize that hybrid models can optimize patient experience and healthcare equity, ensuring that even those with limited digital skills are adequately served.
Overall, the RTVS network exemplifies how innovative virtual solutions can strengthen healthcare access in underserved communities, fostering a more equitable and responsive healthcare system.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-virtual-network-rural-nations-communities.html
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