Can I Provide Virtual Care If I Can’t Provide In-Person Care to Every Patient?

Yes. You do not need to personally provide in-person care to every patient you see virtually.

Under CPSA’s Virtual Care Standard, physicians must ensure there is a reasonable pathway to in-person care when it is clinically appropriate, required, or requested.

CPSA clarifies in its FAQ: “I provide virtual care through a healthcare app, do I have to stop if I can’t provide in-person care to every patient I see virtually?” 

Answer: No. The expectation is that the physician will arrange in-person care within a timeframe appropriate to the urgency of the matter. 

What this means in practice: When an in-person assessment is clinically indicated, you should:

• Direct the patient to their primary care provider, walk-in clinic, urgent care, or emergency department as appropriate
• Provide clear urgency guidance
• Document your clinical reasoning and follow-up instructions in the chart
• The requirement is about ensuring access to in-person care, not about owning or operating a physical clinic