Providing Access to Healthcare for Patients in Rural Communities

Online Doctor Canada

Healthcare for Underserved Populations

Rural community sign

Living in a rural community can present unique challenges when it comes to accessing healthcare.

 

Distance to a clinic and limited transportation options presents barriers to care in addition to the difficulties faced in accessing a physician with the growing shortage of family doctors.

 

With a wide range of healthcare services including primary, emergency and specialist care, Rocket Doctor can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, providing those in rural communities with a means of accessible care without the need to travel.

Rural community sign

Diverse Locations of Rocket Doctor Patients

emergency and specialist care cover in Ontario

Since launching in 2020, Rocket Doctor has enabled physicians on the platform to provide over a quarter of a million virtual appointments.

 

Our data shows that these appointments cover an extensive range of locations across the country.The map of Ontario shows an example of how patients across the province are using virtual care to access healthcare from the comfort and convenience of their homes.

 

This is the same in Alberta and British Columbia where 50% of patients are from rural/Northern communities.

William Cherniak CEO
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As an attending Emergency Physician I’ve seen firsthand the challenges of providing care to patients in rural communities, both around access to care, geographic and climate related challenges and difficulties accessing specialist and primary care alike.


I’m so proud that MDs on Rocket Doctor are able to offer the highest quality of care to so many people across Canada, entirely funded by their Provincial health insurance

 

Dr. William Cherniak
Rocket Doctor founder and CEO

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Online Doctor Canada
red railway bridge in Canada. Accessing virtual care anywhere

Rural Communities

With increased access to wireless high-speed internet and mobile devices, and higher comfort with the use of technology for access to services, telemedicine is poised to address these barriers. Ensuring more Canadians have access to broadband internet will further improve their ability in rural and underserved communities to take advantage of this new technology.

red railway bridge in Canada. Accessing virtual care anywhere

References:

  1. Canada Health Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-6).https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-6/page-2.html#docCont )
  2. Health at a Glance, Difficulty accessing health care services in Canada. Stats Canada. ( https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-624-x/2016001/article/14683-eng.htm )
  3. Harrington DW, Wilson K, Rosenberg M and Bell S. Access granted! barriers endure: determinants of difficulties accessing specialist care when required in Ontario, Canada. BMC Health Services Research. April, 2013.https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6963-13-146 )

Which Province Are You Located In?

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Choose your care

Primary Care Appointment with a Doctor

Connect with a doctor in British Columbia for a primary care consultation. Through Rocket Doctor’s platform, you can see and speak to the doctor virtually, just like you’re in the clinic.

 

The doctor can assess symptoms or concerns through a video or audio visit in order to diagnose, prescribe medication, handle refills, write lab requisitions, order imaging, refer to a specialist and more.

Physicians’ calendars are currently full, please check back for updated availabilities, these can change hour to hour. Currently, we are prioritizing patients in need of a follow up visit. If you are a patient who has been seen by a doctor on the platform before and require a follow-up appointment, kindly review your email, and register your account on Rocket Doctor’s patient portal.

 

Please click on Forgot Password and input your email address. After completing this step, you will be able to access your account and chat with our patient care team to arrange a follow-up appointment.

Appointments:
FREE with BC Health Card

Mental Health Counselling (Mental Health Nurse)

Struggling with low mood? Unable to sleep? Experiencing a challenging time in life? Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or burnt out?

 

Book an appointment virtually or via phone with a mental health professional. Registered mental health nurses provide counselling and comprehensive care. Chat with a trusted medical professional and receive tailored support to start feeling like yourself again.

Appointments: $80
(60 Minute Consultation)

Primary Care Appointment with a Doctor

Primary Care Appointment with a Doctor

Connect with a doctor in British Columbia for a primary care consultation. Through Rocket Doctor’s platform, you can see and speak to the doctor virtually, just like you’re in the clinic.

 

The doctor can assess symptoms or concerns through a video or audio visit in order to diagnose, prescribe medication, handle refills, write lab requisitions, order imaging, refer to a specialist and more.

Physicians’ calendars are currently full, please check back for updated availabilities, these can change hour to hour. Currently, we are prioritizing patients in need of a follow up visit. If you are a patient who has been seen by a doctor on the platform before and require a follow-up appointment, kindly review your email, and register your account on Rocket Doctor’s patient portal.

 

Please click on Forgot Password and input your email address. After completing this step, you will be able to access your account and chat with our patient care team to arrange a follow-up appointment.

Appointments:
FREE with BC Health Card

Mental Health Counselling (Registered Mental Health Nurse)

Mental Health Counselling (Mental Health Nurse)

Struggling with low mood? Unable to sleep? Experiencing a challenging time in life? Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or burnt out?

 

Book an appointment virtually or via phone with a mental health professional. Registered mental health nurses provide counselling and comprehensive care. Chat with a trusted medical professional and receive tailored support to start feeling like yourself again.

Appointments: $80
(60 Minute Consultation)

Choose your care

Primary Care Appointment with a Doctor

Connect with a doctor in Alberta for a primary care consultation. Through Rocket Doctor’s platform, you can see and speak to the doctor virtually, just like you’re in the clinic.

 

The doctor can assess symptoms or concerns through a video or audio visit in order to diagnose, prescribe medication, handle refills, write lab requisitions, order imaging, refer to a specialist and more.

Appointments:
FREE with Alberta Health Card

Ontario

Do you have a valid/unexpired OHIP card?

Ontario

Do you have a referral?

If you do not have a referral and would like to book an appointment with our General Medicine providers please

If you have a referral that has already been faxed to Rocket Doctor and would like to follow up on its status.

Please Call
1 867 670 2273

If you have a referral for any of the below available specializations.

  • Allergy / Immunology
  • Dermatology
  • Cardiology
  • Family + Lactation Consulting
  • General Surgery
  • STI
  • Genetics
  • Obstetrics
  • Gynecology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Lifestyle Medicine for Stroke Neurology
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Nephrologist
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry
  • Respirology

Please Fax
1 647 696 8973

Mental Health Counselling
(Registered Mental Health Nurse)

Accepted plans that cover this service include:

  • Medavie Blue Cross – VAC (Veterans Affairs Canada), RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Polic), the CAF (Canadian Armed Forces), and IRCCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada)
  • NIHB (Non-Insured Health Benefits) – Government of Canada program providing mental health counselling benefits ofr Indigenous (First Nations) and Inuit peoples.
  •  Canada Life – (responsible for claims under the PSHCP – The Public Service Health Care Plan)

In some cases you may be required to pay for your appointment and then submit a claim for reimbursement, for more details, please contact your provider.

Live Text Chat with a Doctor

Get the answers to your healthcare concerns from a licensed Ontario physician in real-time.

 

Connect with a doctor and chat in real-time via live text chat. Choose a time and connect with a doctor who can diagnose, prescribe medication, handle refills, write lab requisitions, order imaging, and more.

Appointments: $65

Live Video Call with a Physician Assistant

Connect with a qualified Physician Assistant through live video call from your smart phone, tablet or computer.

 

Schedule your video medical consultation at a time that works for you. Rest assured, you’re in good hands. Our dedicated Physician Assistants are highly trained, and all cases are reviewed by a fully licensed Ontario doctor.

Appointments: $65

Substance Use Services Clinic

Rocket Doctor’s Substance Use Service is dedicated to providing support, resource, and advice to individuals struggling with substance use. Our service is tailored to give individuals the freedom to seek help in a safe, secure and confidential environment.

 

If you or someone you know is dealing with substance use issues, we are here to help.

Substance Use Services appointments are completely free with OHIP

Live Text Chat with a Doctor

Get the answers to your healthcare concerns from a licensed Ontario physician in real-time.

 

Connect with a doctor and chat in real-time via live text chat. Choose a time and connect with a doctor who can diagnose, prescribe medication, handle refills, write lab requisitions, order imaging, and more. 

Appointments: $55

Live Video Call with a Physician Assistant

Connect with a qualified Physician Assistant through live video call from your smart phone, tablet or computer.

 

Schedule your video medical consultation at a time that works for you. Rest assured, you’re in good hands. Our dedicated Physician Assistants are highly trained, and all cases are reviewed by a fully licensed Ontario doctor.

Appointments: $65

Live Video Call with a Doctor

Connect with a Doctor via live video call from your smart phone, tablet or computer.

As a result of changes made by the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and the Ontario Ministry of Health, there are a very limited number of doctors providing appointments that are free of charge for OHIP-covered patients on Rocket Doctor.

Appointment wait times are expected to be significantly longer on this service, compared to our other virtual care services.

Appointments: $0 with OHIP

Substance Use Services Clinic

Rocket Doctor’s Substance Use Service is dedicated to providing support, resource, and advice to individuals struggling with substance use. Our service is tailored to give individuals the freedom to seek help in a safe, secure and confidential environment.

 

If you or someone you know is dealing with substance use issues, we are here to help.

Substance Use Services appointments are completely free with OHIP

Live Text Chat with a Doctor

Live Text Chat with a Doctor

Get the answers to your healthcare concerns from a licensed Ontario physician in real-time.

 

Connect with a doctor and chat in real-time via live text chat. Choose a time and connect with a doctor who can diagnose, prescribe medication, handle refills, write lab requisitions, order imaging, and more.

Appointments: $55

Live Video Call with a Physician Assistant

Live Video Call with a Physician Assistant

Connect with a qualified Physician Assistant through live video call from your smart phone, tablet or computer.

 

Schedule your video medical consultation at a time that works for you. Rest assured, you’re in good hands. Our dedicated Physician Assistants are highly trained, and all cases are reviewed by a fully licensed Ontario doctor.

Appointments: $65

Substance Use Services Clinic

Substance Use Services Clinic

Rocket Doctor’s Substance Use Service is dedicated to providing support, resource, and advice to individuals struggling with substance use. Our service is tailored to give individuals the freedom to seek help in a safe, secure and confidential environment.

 

If you or someone you know is dealing with substance use issues, we are here to help.

Substance Use Services appointments are completely free with OHIP

Live Video Call with a Doctor

Live Video Call with a Doctor

Connect with a Doctor via live video call from your smart phone, tablet or computer.

As a result of changes made by the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and the Ontario Ministry of Health, there are a very limited number of doctors providing appointments that are free of charge for OHIP-covered patients on Rocket Doctor.

Appointment wait times are expected to be significantly longer on this service, compared to our other virtual care services.

Appointments: $0 with OHIP

Live Video Call with a Doctor

Connect with a Doctor via live video call from your smart phone, tablet or computer.

As a result of changes made by the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and the Ontario Ministry of Health, there are a very limited number of doctors providing appointments that are free of charge for OHIP-covered patients on Rocket Doctor.

 

Appointment wait times are expected to be significantly longer on this service, compared to our other virtual care services.

Appointments: $0 with OHIP

Book an Appointment

Please fill in your details and you will be added to the waiting list for an appointment completely covered by OHIP.

Due to high demand and limited physician availability for this service, wait times are likely to be significant longer than our other virtual care services. Patients will be contacted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please do not call our support team for an update on your appointment. Our Patient Care team will contact you as soon as your appointment is ready to be scheduled.

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