On the surface this looks like a great idea.
Here is why physicians are angry:
👉 Could force hundreds of family medicine clinics to close during this pandemic
👉 Disrupts the “patient medical home”
👉 Will result in increased healthcare cost to taxpayers
Thread below 👇
Here is why physicians are angry:
👉 Could force hundreds of family medicine clinics to close during this pandemic
👉 Disrupts the “patient medical home”
👉 Will result in increased healthcare cost to taxpayers
Thread below 👇
Physicians are currently paid more to see patients in person than over the phone/virtual/using an app. In fact, the payment for phone calls/virtual health is so low, that you can’t pay for office expenses on that income.
#AbLeg
#AbLeg
As a result, there has been no financial incentive to develop virtual technologies in Alberta that could connect patients with their own family doctors.
Enter a crisis where virtual visits/phone calls would reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Enter a crisis where virtual visits/phone calls would reduce the spread of coronavirus.
But still the government has not made this a financial feasible way for doctors to provide care. So physicians wont be unable to keep their medical clinics running for much longer, which may result increased ER visits which is bad news for #socialdistancing.
Instead, the government has made a deal to pay @Telus an unknown amount to provide virtual visits to Albertans. These doctors will not be your regular family physician, and may not even be from Alberta.
In turn, Telus pays those doctors an hourly sum that is much higher than your family doctor currently makes to provide the same service.
This app will typically redirect patients back to their regular family physician.
This app will typically redirect patients back to their regular family physician.
This might occur after they order unnecessary tests/treatments that your regular doctor might not order because they know your needs better.
So extra cost 💵 to the healthcare system, worse outcomes to patients, and you still end up needing to connect with your own doctor.
So extra cost 💵 to the healthcare system, worse outcomes to patients, and you still end up needing to connect with your own doctor.
There is plenty of evidence that seeing your usual family doctor reduces healthcare costs.
peerevidence.ca/wp-content/upl…
This continuity of care is the backbone behind the concept of the patient medical home.
peerevidence.ca/wp-content/upl…
This continuity of care is the backbone behind the concept of the patient medical home.
Essentially a one stop shop for your primary care needs provided by a team of healthcare professionals.
Your family doctor knows your health best, and won’t order duplicate tests or medications as a result.
Your family doctor knows your health best, and won’t order duplicate tests or medications as a result.
Due to the better healthcare outcomes and cost savings, multiple previous Alberta governments along with the AMA, College of Family Physicians and Canadian Medical Associaton support patients seeing their patient medical home for their care. Instead of walk-in type services.
This service by @Telus could undermine what @ABFamDocs have been working towards for years.
But there is a simple solution: @shandro just needs to expand one billing modifier to allow family physicians to offer the same service Telus is offering, for a fraction of the cost.
But there is a simple solution: @shandro just needs to expand one billing modifier to allow family physicians to offer the same service Telus is offering, for a fraction of the cost.
Your own family physician could help you, not have to fire their office staff, and reduce the spread of coronavirus.
It would be a win for patients-win for government-win for doctors -But less taxpayer funded profits to Telus.
The Answer:
It would be a win for patients-win for government-win for doctors -But less taxpayer funded profits to Telus.
The Answer:
