Optimizing the use of hybrid-care models for delivery of healthcare services

The COVID-19 pandemic opened the opportunity to accelerate the incorporation of virtual-care options. This public-health emergency provided an ideal test case to evaluate the potential for virtual solutions to complement in-person care in ways that improve continuity of care and increase access to quality care, particularly for underserved populations. However, virtual care and hybrid models also impose challenges for providers and patients. Given this, provincial and territorial health systems are now considering how to optimize the use of virtual care through hybrid-care models to leverage the benefits of in-person and virtual care.