Virtual Care Guidelines & Considerations

The use of virtual care has exploded since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Routine methods of care delivery are not possible during a public health emergency. Virtual care is an option that allows providers and patients/clients to preserve continuity of care and address new challenges remotely, while avoiding contagion.

Virtual care is not new; it has been utilized for over 20 years; however, it was not deeply embedded in practice. Virtual care is not a panacea. It is not appropriate for every patient/client, nor in all care and service situations.

For some individuals and in some situations, virtual care is not a viable option. Careful consideration of the benefits and risks for each patient/client and their personal individual situation is needed. The quality of the virtual care experience and the session outcome is a direct result of the quality of communication between the provider and the patient/client.

Providing virtual care to individuals with impairment of hearing or vision may require enhanced communication strategies and the use of assistive technology.