Virtual care has become a practical option for many Canadians who struggle to see a doctor promptly, a shift highlighted by the experience of Dr. Brett Belchett, a former emergency‑room physician who co‑founded the telehealth platform Maple in 2015.
Why the new model emerged
During a decade of changes in both urban and rural emergency departments, the physician observed patients waiting eight hours for a five‑minute exam, often for conditions that did not require emergency resources.
He explains that the system forced people to seek urgent care simply because they had nowhere else to turn, a problem amplified by long waits for routine appointments.
Systemic gaps that drove demand
Almost six million Canadians lack a family physician, and those who do often wait two weeks for a routine visit; specialist referrals can average 28.6 weeks before a patient sees a consultant.
For many, missing work to attend an appointment means a loss of wages that can jeopardize basic needs, making the prospect of a quick virtual consultation especially appealing.
Patient benefits of remote access
Remote visits eliminate the need to arrange childcare or take a half‑day off, reducing disruption to personal and professional schedules.
The doctor notes that avoiding crowded waiting rooms also spares patients the discomfort of sharing personal health details in a public space and lowers exposure to contagious illnesses.
His own friends and family began texting him for advice in 2012‑13, receiving prompt diagnoses without ever stepping into an emergency department.
He offered those consultations free of charge, and follow‑up visits later confirmed the accuracy of his assessments.
Since the service launched, Maple has connected thousands of patients with clinicians across Canada, showing how digital pathways can fill gaps left by traditional scheduling.
How clinicians gain flexibility
Providers can now blend in‑person practice with short digital appointments, choosing when to add virtual slots based on personal circumstances.
When Dr. Belchett worked full‑time in the emergency room, he logged 15 to 16 demanding shifts each month, yet still had 15 days off.
Instead of taking another overnight shift after a tiring day, he can log into a platform for a brief consult, much like a ride‑share driver accepting a single fare.
This model also enables doctors on parental leave or with seasonal homes to stay active professionally without sacrificing personal time.
Extending the approach across specialties
Even surgeons can use digital tools to review imaging, discuss histories, and determine eligibility for procedures, expanding their reach beyond the limits of a physical office.
Clinical guidelines for virtual visits mirror those of traditional care: a thorough history, visual inspection of rashes or throats, and guided self‑exams for joints.
When needed, devices such as digital ear scopes and stethoscopes—available from major retailers—allow clinicians to capture sounds and images for remote evaluation.
Physicians must still triage cases that require hands‑on examination, directing patients to an appropriate facility when virtual tools fall short.
Technology and future prospects
A single, integrated application that combines video, chat, lab orders, and prescriptions simplifies workflow and keeps records consistent across care teams.
Broadband coverage, boosted by satellite services, now reaches most remote communities, making reliable video visits possible in previously underserved areas.
Emerging wearables and artificial‑intelligence assistants promise to offload administrative tasks, giving clinicians more time for direct patient interaction.
As these innovations mature, the health system can offer more appointment hours without overburdening any single practitioner.
Stakeholders anticipate that continued investment in connectivity and device accessibility will keep virtual care expanding, ensuring that patients in both urban centers and isolated regions can obtain timely medical advice.
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