Signing up for virtual health care in P.E.I.: Here’s what you need to know
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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A Charlottetown lady says she discovered it heartbreaking to maneuver again to P.E.I. in 2022 and discover out she couldn’t discover a household physician.
Marina Kays was certainly one of a handful of people that turned out for a workshop on the Charlottetown Library Studying Centre Sept. 12 to search out out extra about Well being P.E.I.’s digital care providers and the Maple app.
“I’m used to going to my GP annually to have exams completed,” stated the senior. “I’m used to having had that for a number of years, so now to return (to P.E.I.) and never have that in any respect, it breaks my coronary heart.”
Well being P.E.I. is holding a collection of workshops throughout the province to reply any questions concerning the Maple digital well being care app that connects Island sufferers with a Canadian physician for an internet analysis and a prescription, if essential.
The Maple service is restricted to Islanders who do not need a household physician or a nurse practitioner. As well as, Islanders have to be signed up with the provincial affected person registry to entry Maple.
Kays stated she had no alternative however to make use of the service.
“There isn’t any different route for me to go,’’ she stated. “I could not hear from anyone (with the registry).’’
Leia Bulosan-Burns, a registered nurse and supervisor of the Kings Major Care Community, stated Well being P.E.I. fashioned a partnership with Maple as a method of addressing the rising record of Islanders who do not need a major care supplier.
“We’re attempting to get all people care,” Bulosan-Burns instructed SaltWire. “(Dropping a household physician) is a giant loss for lots of people and a giant change for lots of people, particularly in the event you’ve had a major care supplier your entire life.”
Bulosan-Burns stated Maple isn’t meant as a long-term answer however has an possibility to assist individuals out within the interim.
There are at the moment 33,409 Islanders on the affected person registry. SaltWire requested Well being P.E.I. what number of have signed up for Maple, however the reply was not offered by press time.
By the numbers
Following is the breakdown of the variety of Islanders, as of Sept. 4, on the P.E.I. affected person registry:
- Central Queens, 2,033
- East Prince, 6,253
- Japanese Kings, 492
- Queens, 17,637
- Southern Kings, 2,683
- West Prince, 4,311
- Whole, 33,409
What you want
Bulosan-Burns stated to entry Maple, Islanders want a Well being P.E.I. card and a few machine, be it a laptop computer, desktop, telephone or pill, in addition to entry to the web.
Folks can even require knowledge or entry to Wi-Fi. One of many individuals at Tuesday’s session requested what choices existed for her since she doesn’t have an information plan.
Bulosan-Burns stated individuals with out Wi-Fi or knowledge can entry Maple on the Charlottetown library.
Well being P.E.I. does have educated employees working to assist with Maple on the library in Morell.
What can Maple do
Bulosan-Burns stated Maple can present the identical stage of well being care that Islanders obtain at major care clinics.
“Maple is nice for issues like your walk-in clinic stuff, equivalent to your lumps, your coughs, ear infections, these sorts of issues,’’ she stated. “That’s not to say they can’t assist you when you have continual ailments. They can even do prescription refills.’’
Bulosan-Burns stated physicians on the digital platform may also refer sufferers to major care clinics if an in-person go to is required. Maple docs may also order blood work.
Seniors
One particular person on the info session stated that is an arduous course of for individuals who both do not need entry to the web, don’t perceive how the digital course of works or do not need associates or household to fall again on for assist.
Bulosan-Burns stated in the interim the one health-care officers who may help seniors by the method day by day work out of the library in Morell.
“It’s a very troublesome scenario,’’ she agreed. “I do know we’re asking so much from individuals.’’
Kays says it is a lot to throw on the common Islander, a lot much less a senior.
“That is very scary,’’ Kays stated. “I’ve all the time had a household doctor. You may catch issues early on, however this fashion you would be useless earlier than you (get assist).’’ That’s my considering and that’s too unhealthy.’’
At a look
- Workshops proceed at libraries throughout P.E.I. for the following a number of weeks.
- Members can convey their very own machine (smartphone or pill) or use a library machine. They need to additionally convey their legitimate P.E.I. well being card.
- Following the presentation, employees can be accessible to assist eligible attendees join the Maple app.
- For info, contact one of many listed collaborating libraries.
Right here is the schedule of remaining workshops:
- Sept. 13 – 2-4 p.m. – Montague Rotary Library (Wellness Centre Room).
- Sept. 21 – 6-8 p.m. – Montague Rotary Library (Wellness Centre Room).
- Sept. 25 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.- O’Leary Library (City Corridor Assembly Room).
- Oct. 10 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Charlottetown Studying Library.
- Oct. 13 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Summerside Rotary Library (ADL Room).
- Oct. 25 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Tignish Public Library.
- Nov. 7 – 2-4 p.m. – Souris Library.
Dave Stewart is a well being reporter with SaltWire in Prince Edward Island. He will be reached by electronic mail at [email protected] and adopted on X @DveStewart.
