In July 2021, the Ministry of Health offered one-time funding to Ontario Health Teams (OHTs), ‘In Development Teams’ and other health care organizations to implement, enhance and scale virtual care programs and services. The funding was intended to support the recovery of the health system from Covid-19 by increasing access to services, changing how care is delivered and building digital capacity.
On the topic of virtual care, health system decision-makers have more questions than answers. This report explores the current landscape of Canadian virtual care data and information. It includes a snapshot of available virtual care data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), the provinces and territories, and pan-Canadian health care organizations. It also recommends new areas of pan-Canadian focus for measuring the quality and accessibility of virtual care.
The research team surveyed primary care leaders across Ontario using validated survey instruments and looked at the below factors, and we found that the Processes directly and positively impacted Outcomes, and the Structures indirectly and favorably impacted Outcomes through - or as mediated by - their direct impact on Processes.
It is recommended that individuals living with diabetes have their eyes examined for signs of retinopathy annually. Even with access to eye care resources across Canada, including tele-ophthalmology, many individuals with diabetes remain unscreened with screening rates lowest in vulnerable populations. A population-based approach to identify, engage, and provide screening is needed.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in working age Canadians. Despite all eye care resources, including tele-ophthalmology, DR screening rates remain low; 35% of individuals with diabetes are unscreened for DR. New strategies are required to identify, engage and provide ongoing monitoring to those requiring DR screening.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a public health issue, potentially impacting the lives of 3 million or more Canadians (7.9% of the population). If DR is detected early, vision loss can be averted. It is currently impossible to systematically identify individuals living with diabetes who have not had an annual eye examination using only primary care electronic medical records. A different approach is required.
