Virtual health tools for the new normal

While the number of facilities having in-person health care options is growing, virtual health care has solidified its position as a go-to for Canadians concerned with the increasing numbers of COVID-19. With more virtual health tools and resources available, the likelihood of this being the preferred option for individuals and practitioners makes sense.

In the 2021 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey, virtual healthcare services have been embraced on a wider scale by employers and employees.

According to the survey:

• 41% of group benefits plan providers offer virtual health care through their group benefits plan
• This is important, as 93% of plan members currently working from home would like to continue working from home at least 57% of the time
• Plan sponsors would like 45% of the workforce to work from home at least part-time after the pandemic

With the numbers growing, plan members have cause to be concerned. 42% see people not following the public health and safety protocols as a direct threat, including 38% concerned with having to work with other employees who have not been vaccinated.

Future benefits for the new normal

Insurance carriers are embracing the new trend of virtual health care, understanding the different preferences of both employees and employers. While plan members are interested in options for physical fitness, carriers are looking to add wellness and personal spending options to plans.

Employers are more interested in providing virtual care coverage, screenings for health risks, and immunizations. This is very important as 48% of plan members delayed treatment or seeing a healthcare provider during the height of the pandemic. These indicators show that plan members have embraced virtual health tools that can monitor and assess preventable diseases while addressing areas of risk.

Virtual healthcare as a constant

Canada must embrace virtual care as a permanent fixture within the health system to remain sustainable. There is great value in offering this to citizens, which has a positive and significant impact on how healthcare is delivered.

Recognized value in virtual care includes:

• Reduced costs and improved efficiencies
  • With virtual care, patients can be diagnosed quickly and may not need in-person visits. This means less time spent on testing and lower costs of hospitalization.
• Improved clinical outcomes
  • Intervention strategies are recognized and implemented, and monitoring and management of chronic disease care are improved.
• Expansion in accessibility
  • Regional inequities and standards of care are reduced, and the distribution of specialists is improved.
• Enhanced coordination and quality of care
  • More people are reached through better connectivity, while physicians are better matched to patients, improving the quality and delivery of care.
• Enhanced customer experiences
  • Customer engagement is improved resulting in more patient satisfaction. More virtual care time helps improve patients understanding of their treatment and more comprehensive planning.

What do virtual health tools and resources look like in the near future?

While improving access to care, virtual health care tools are in a transformative state for group plan members. E-prescribing, E-mental health, and continued remote patient monitoring are all at the forefront of quality care. Patients with underlying health conditions can be electronically monitored in their homes, can be coached to address any issues before being referred to the hospital, and become more involved in their overall care plans.

A guide for virtual care

With many provinces now being approved for virtual health care coverage in addition to those offered through People Corporation, there are many resources and services available that include:

• Virtual mental health services through People Connect
• People Connect Total Health provides virtual access to enhanced mental health care, doctors, digital pharmacy options, and home medication deliveries.
• Health coaching services for managing chronic diseases
• Virtual physiotherapy

People Corporation provides solutions that embrace digital transformation, ensuring everyone has access to quality care from the comfort of their homes. Plan sponsors can use these resources to help their plan members navigate the new normal of continuous work from home, accessing their health care options, or returning to work part-time with support.

To be effective, these solutions must include remote monitoring, virtual consultations, a command center, and effective workflow tools for the providers, care planning and management, physician-to-physician communication, and patient response measures for the end user.

Insurance carriers must view this as an opportunity to provide a solution to a population that has embraced the concept of virtual care and digital health tools that make a positive difference in their personal health management. For more information about virtual health care tools and how they can benefit your organization, contact People Corporation today.