Integrated Virtual Care
What is it?
Integrated Virtual Care (IVC), based in Renfrew County, Ontario, is an innovative model of comprehensive, team-based care with family physician leadership. Established in October 2021, IVC has improved equity in access to primary care in a traditionally underserved population. Patients receive comprehensive, team-based primary care with family physician leadership, through a blend of in-person, at-home and virtual care options, depending on their individual needs and preferences. IVC permanently attaches patients to a named family physician who works predominantly remotely, is responsible for all aspects of their patients’ primary care and is embedded within a local Family Health Team.
Virtual care options include secure messaging, telephone and video encounters from the patient’s home, and enhanced telemedicine options at local clinics. Partnership with the existing community paramedicine program allows a range of at-home care options for vulnerable, housebound patients. Other physicians, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals within the group, provide additional in-clinic care options for enrolled IVC patients. At all times, the named IVC family physician retains overall responsibility for their patients’ primary care.
IVC is associated with improved preventative care measures, as well as improvements in the care experience of both providers and recipients of care
What does that mean for you as a patient?
As a patient of IVC, you will be rostered to a named primary care provider who will manage your primary health care with the support of an interdisciplinary team who works on site at the clinic.
Your physician will manage all aspects of your primary care, including sending referrals to specialists as required. All test results, medical reports, diagnostic findings and discharge reports will also be sent to your IVC family physician. If, for some reason, you have to attend the ED, you should inform the clerk that you are rostered to a physician.
How does it work?
Once you are accepted and all required forms and paperwork have been returned to the clinic, an initial appointment is booked with your new family physician. The appointment will be over the phone or on video. If necessary, this could be done in the office in a designated room set up for video appointments.
Your physician will manage all aspects of your primary care, including sending referrals to specialists as required. All test results, medical reports, diagnostic findings and discharge reports will also be sent to your IVC family physician. If, for some reason, you have to attend the ED, you should inform the receptionist that you are rostered to a physician.
What if I need to be seen in person?
Once the initial intake appointment has taken place, the physician may decide that you should be seen in person at the office by a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Nurse for one, specific issue. You will be advised by your physician to call the office to book an appointment with the appropriate person (leaving enough time for the physician to complete the note in the chart). The NP will complete the requested procedure/assessment and will report back to the physician. Additional follow-up from this in-person appointment will be with your physician by phone or video.
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Integrated Virtual Care (IVC)
Integrated Virtual Care (IVC)
Integrated Virtual Care (IVC)
What is it?
Integrated Virtual Care (IVC), based in Renfrew County, Ontario, is an innovative model of comprehensive, team-based care with family physician leadership. Established in October 2021, IVC has improved equity in access to primary care in a traditionally underserved population. Patients receive comprehensive, team-based primary care with family physician leadership, through a blend of in-person, at-home and virtual care options, depending on their individual needs and preferences. IVC permanently attaches patients to a named family physician who works predominantly remotely, is responsible for all aspects of their patients’ primary care and is embedded within a local Family Health Team.
Virtual care options include secure messaging, telephone and video encounters from the patient’s home, and enhanced telemedicine options at local clinics. Partnership with the existing community paramedicine program allows a range of at-home care options for vulnerable, housebound patients. Other physicians, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals within the group, provide additional in-clinic care options for enrolled IVC patients. At all times, the named IVC family physician retains overall responsibility for their patients’ primary care.
IVC is associated with improved preventative care measures, as well as improvements in the care experience of both providers and recipients of care
What does this mean for you as a patient?
As a patient of IVC, you will be rostered to a named primary care provider who will manage your primary health care with the support of an interdisciplinary team who works on site at the clinic.
How does it work?
Once you are accepted and all required forms and paperwork have been returned to the clinic, an initial appointment is booked with your new family physician. The appointment will be over the phone or on video. If necessary, this could be done in the office in a designated room set up for video appointments.
Your physician will manage all aspects of your primary care, including sending referrals to specialists as required. All test results, medical reports, diagnostic findings and discharge reports will also be sent to your IVC family physician. If, for some reason, you have to attend the ED, you should inform the ED clerk that you are rostered to a physician so they can forward any consults, imaging or tests done.
What if you need to be seen in person?
You will need to speak with your physician for your concern/issue. The physician will then decide if you should be seen in person at the office by a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Nurse for one, specific issue. You will be advised by your physician to call the office to book an appointment with the appropriate person (leaving enough time for the physician to complete the note in the chart). The NP will complete the requested assessment and will report back to the physician. Additional follow-up from this in-person appointment will be with your physician by phone or video.
Summary of the above
Check out this information sheet.