With the COVID-19 pandemic upon us, our clinics are offering more virtual care to make sure that we can continue to care for our patients safely and effectively. This means that we will be using video and audio technologies for some patient visits rather than asking all patients to come into our office. Virtual visits, also known as eVisits, are secure, 2-way communication between you and your healthcare provider. They can include phone calls, videoconferencing or emails. Virtual visits enable you to communicate with members of the City of Lakes Family Health Team from wherever you are, and in a way that’s convenient for both you and your healthcare provider.

Virtual Visits have many benefits, such as:

• Freeing up a clinician’s time so they can spend more time with other patients
• Increasing patient satisfaction by providing you with another convenient way of connecting with your health care provider
• Providing access to patients who have limited mobility, lack transportation, or live far from their providers
• And, of course, protecting patients and providers from close contact during a pandemic

What types of appointments can be seen virtually? Some common examples include:

• Follow-up on lab or diagnostic imaging results
• Medication renewals
• Chronic conditions
• Health education

We do our best to make sure that any information you give to us during virtual care visits is private and secure, but no video or audio tools are ever completely secure. There is an increased security risk that your health information may be intercepted or disclosed to third parties when using video or audio communications tools. To help us keep your information safe and secure, you should use a private computer or device with a secure internet connection.  For example, accessing the Internet on your home computer will generally be more secure than an open guest Wi-Fi connection.

DISCLAIMER: By providing your information, you agree to let us collect, use, or disclose your personal health information through video or audio communications (while following applicable privacy laws) in order to provide you with care.

When you call us for an appointments, ask our clerks if a virtual visit is appropriate for you. You will be asked for your verbal consent when booking the appointment.

For more information on e-visits go to the Ontario Telemedicine Network.