Country Correspondent: Aisha Gomez and Roosa Tikkanen
Although seven of 10 Canadians favor telemedicine, inconsistencies in regulations across provinces and territories are leaving some patients unable to access this “virtual care.” To reduce barriers, the Canadian Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and the College of Family Physicians of Canada launched a task force to review what regulatory changes are necessary to ensure equal access to telemedicine across the country. The task force will review existing bylaws, policies, and cost structures and explore alternatives for a national telemedicine framework, including licensing requirements, quality assurance, and best ways to capture health outcomes. The new body is set to deliver its recommendations by early 2020.
