P.E.I. virtual specialist consultation platform expanding to include Nova Scotia specialists

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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — P.E.I. is increasing its digital specialist session platform for docs and nurse practitioners to incorporate Nova Scotia specialists.

Major care suppliers utilizing the Virtual Hallway platform will now have the power to seek the advice of with about 50 Nova Scotia specialists. The province mentioned the enlargement may probably scale back the necessity for out-of-province journey.

Specialty areas supplied by Nova Scotia specialists embrace youngster/adolescent psychology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology and common surgical procedure, amongst a number of different areas.

Dr. Phil Smith, a common surgeon in Nova Scotia, mentioned he believes the enlargement will result in fewer referrals off of the Island.

“Digital Hallway is a service that must be obtainable to well being care suppliers throughout our area, and nationally,” mentioned Smith. “I’m wanting to see the results of elevated entry to specialist companies for the first care suppliers and, finally, the sufferers of P.E.I.”

There are at present 121 registered customers on the platform in P.E.I., together with 93 main care suppliers and 28 specialists.

The service, which launched in early Might, began after docs seen that sufferers have been ready too lengthy for specialist consultations and that the delays have been resulting in extra continual and disabling circumstances.

For the reason that platform’s launch, the province mentioned there have been 78 digital consultations carried out through the platform, with about 84 per cent of potential affected person referrals averted.

“Household physicians have acknowledged a necessity for a service like Digital Hallway for years – it was heartening to see it launch this spring,” mentioned P.E.I. household doctor Dr. Laura O’Connor.