Abstract
Numerous obstacles hinder the widespread adoption of virtual care despite the known advantages including ease of integrated care delivery. When clinically appropriate to use virtual care, healthcare provider resistance, financial constraints and technological barriers persistently impede consumer access to the inclusive virtual consultation solutions.
Virtual care is a powerful tool that supports integrated care by improving population health, reducing costs and infrastructure demands and offering enhanced flexibility and collaboration for care providers. However, the experiences of consumers and their significant others are often overlooked when considering care delivery options. Care coordination, a fundamental aspect of integrated care, can be greatly improved by implementing virtual strategies tailored to individual consumer needs. In this context, consumers play a pivotal role in directing their care journey, where holistic considerations underpin their active participation and compliance of clinical recommendations.
To gain deeper insights into the impact of virtual care on integrated care experiences, the project team engaged with consumers and important people within their lives. Their firsthand perspectives offered invaluable real-life perspectives on challenges, supports, and dominant considerations. These insights have the potential to influence current care delivery practices, facilitating a truly integrated and coordinated care experience.