As virtual medicine is a 'hands off' approach to healthcare, there are several conditions that we would not be able to safely assess or manage. The Canadian Family Physicians association has provided a great resource for reference on what would be deemed safe and unsafe to address through virtual care: You can reference the guideline and article here: https://www.cfp.ca/content/cfp/70/5/322.full.pdf

But in short here is a quick list of what can and should not be booked for virtual medical care:

In the case that it is deemed that a health concern cannot be seen through virtual medical consult, clients will be redirected to the most appropriate avenue for care.

NP Jen recommends families who are unable to easily access a local clinic and therefore would need to rely on virtual medicine to reduce trips to the Emergency/Hospital setting to have the following health assessment tools on hand (as applicable to their chief health concerns and conditions): - digital oral thermometer

- home digital otoscope/ear camera

- personal use automated blood pressure machine

- digital health monitor that can assess heart rate and respiratory rate

- home glucometer (if diabetic or have issues with or taking medication for sugar regulation)

- home urine test strips that can test for ketones, leukocytes, and blood

- home INR monitor (if being prescribed warfarin/coumadin)

Nurse Practitioners are not included in public funding models for health care the same as doctors, pharmacists, or even midwives in some provinces. While Nurse Practitioners have the knowledge, scope, and capacity to provide autonomous and comprehensive primary health care services our funding for services is through private pay. Service rates are set to be in line with or below a trans-Canada public health insurance reimbursement average as offered to primary care physicians funded by provincial health for same services. This amount offers the ability to provide exceptional care and services to patients who are otherwise unable to connect with a community health care provider in a time of need (after hours, short notice appointments, sooner than their doctor can book them in), or for specialised care (i.e. menopause, ADHD & Neurodiversity), and is beneficial for those who do not have a community doctor. The best part is that if you have been told by your doctor that you will be fined or 'derostered' for seeking medical care elsewhere, we are not part of that equation! Seeking care and services through a private nurse practitioner clinic does not impact your doctor's billings and nurse practitioners are more than happy to work with your doctor to reduce those outside use charges through using this service!

Patients registered with a family doctor who provide their doctor's contact information in their profile may have their clinical notes for each visit sent to their doctor for continuity of care.