College COVID-19 Bulletin 1 – Telemedicine

COVID-19 is putting tremendous pressure on our health care system, in particular those working on the frontlines. While the College expects physicians will practice within the scope of their training and expertise and act in the best interest of their patients, it also recognizes these are extraordinary times. The adoption of virtual/telemedicine care will be called for in the days and weeks ahead. A fee for this service is now in place for physicians, for details contact Doctors NS.

College Advice
The College wants to ensure physicians can deliver patient care in the face of the pandemic. Central to this effort is the importance of limiting viral spread by:

• Reducing all unnecessary patient and physician travel;
• Reducing unnecessary patient visits to health facilities, and;
• Enabling physicians to provide remote patient service within Nova Scotia or from other jurisdictions.

Care for patients with suspected COVID-19:

• Use virtual means to keep contact with patients who have symptoms and who you are monitoring.
• Reassess patients virtually, and if worsening arrange appropriate follow up.

Care for regular patients by virtual means whenever possible for the following reasons:

• To avoid unnecessary trips to the office.
• To manage patients with chronic disease.
• To manage other acute illness that may not require a physical exam.

For further guidance please review Professional Standards Regarding the Provision of Telemedicine Services.