Are virtual medical appointments here to stay? Doctor and patient review pros and cons

WINNIPEG (CityNews) — When COVID-19 began, a lot of health-care appointments were forced to go virtual.

Now a new study by the University of Manitoba is trying to gauge whether virtual health care should stick around after the pandemic.

“There were times where I was really frustrated waiting in the office for hours and thinking to myself, ‘we could just have a phone call for five minutes and it’d be easier,’” said Tamara Chaudouet, a strong supporter of telehealth.

“But I never thought that one day that would actually be what’s happening.”

As someone who is seeing multiple doctors, Chaudouet says she’s saved several hours by avoiding waiting rooms and driving to appointments. She says it just feels better doing the majority of her appointments where she’s most comfortable: at home.

“I find that the phone appointments are way easier,” she said. “No waiting and it’s just quick and easy and you get it over with. I don’t have to leave work. I can just be like I’m taking a break and go in the back and have my doctor’s appointment and you know, I don’t have to go anywhere,” she said.

“I don’t have to take time off so that’s very handy.”

Chaudouet did point out a few issues that could be ironed out, though.

“It comes from a private number. I myself usually don’t answer private numbers. But I’m waiting for this call and sometimes it takes like an hour and a half past my appointment. And I mean, sometimes you have things to do, right? So I think it’d be handier if they scheduled them.”

RELATED: Amazon jumps into health care with telemedicine initiative

Dr. Mandana Modirrousta, who works at the University of Manitoba and St. Boniface hospital, sees clear advantages for doctors and patients alike.

But she understands the challenges as well: some patients aren’t technologically savvy or have poor internet connections, which could make a virtual session a little problematic.

Modirrousta wants doctors and patients to take the U of M survey to determine if virtual medial appointments should stay post-pandemic.

“We don’t anticipate it disappears, so in order to better provide the best care, the first step is to see how we’ve done and which part we need to modify,” said Modirrousta.

“We hope the results of this survey help policy makers in health care system.”

WATCH: The future of telemedicine (Sept. 26, 2020)