Telehealth means getting medical care using your phone, laptop, or tablet without visiting a doctor in person. With Canada’s healthcare system under pressure and wait times often stretching longer than they should, many Canadians use telehealth as a faster way to get care when they need it, without delay. With telehealth, you can often access services like:
- Online prescriptions and refills
- Online doctor’s notes
- Online antibiotics
- Online lab requisitions
- Nutrition consultations
- Mental health counselling and support
It’s important to know when telehealth is the right choice and when you still need in-person care. This blog helps you understand how telehealth works in Canada, what it can help with, and how to use it confidently, no matter where you live.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth is the use of technology to access medical care remotely. It involves booking a virtual appointment and speaking with an online doctor or nurse practitioner through text, audio, or video chat rather than visiting a clinic. Telehealth services allow you to skip an in-person appointment and receive diagnosis & treatment from the comfort of your home. It is an effective way to access healthcare for:
- Managing chronic conditions
- Short-term, sudden issues
What does telehealth mean for patients in Canada?
Canada’s healthcare system is built around primary care as the front door, which means you need a family doctor or NP for routine needs such as:
- Getting a doctor’s note for work or school
- Get a prescription without seeing a doctor
- Refills and renewals
- Referrals to specialists like dermatologists, cardiologists, or other providers
However, only 27% of Canadian adults are able to see a healthcare provider on the same or next day for a non-urgent condition. Access also varies by province. For example, British Columbia sits at around 21%, while Manitoba reaches closer to 33%, leaving many residents waiting days or weeks for care that isn’t urgent but still necessary. That’s where telehealth comes in. Instead of visiting a clinic or waiting room, patients can connect with a licensed healthcare provider from home, work, or anywhere with an internet connection.
What are the benefits of telehealth for patients?
Here are some of the common benefits of telehealth that lead many patients to choose virtual care over in-person appointments.
- Improved access to care across Canada
About 20% of Canadians live in rural, remote, coastal, or northern communities, yet only about 8% of physicians practise in these areas. This means rural residents often travel 35 km or more just to see a doctor. Additionally, harsh winter storms, snow-covered rural roads, and seasonal road closures can delay or prevent in-person care. Telehealth helps overcome these barriers by:
- Letting patients connect with healthcare providers by phone or video
- Eliminating long travel distances
- Providing medical support even during extreme weather or transportation delays
- Shorter wait times compared to traditional care
Many Canadians face long wait times for primary care appointments, walk-in clinics, or urgent care visits. These delays can lead to:
- Worsening of symptoms
- Increased use of emergency departments for non-urgent issues
- Missed work or school due to unresolved health concerns
- Delays in starting treatment plans
- Higher uncertainty for patients managing ongoing symptoms
Telehealth provides faster access to medical advice for common health concerns. Virtual visits are:
- Scheduled sooner than in-person appointments
- Help patients address symptoms quickly
- Prevent minor issues from becoming more serious
3. Support for people without a family doctor
Approximately 5.9 million adults in Canada lack access to a regular family doctor or nurse practitioner, making it difficult to receive routine care or follow-up appointments. Virtual care bridges this gap by allowing you to consult with licensed Canadian doctors online when you do not have a family doctor. Virtual visits allow you to receive a medical assessment and treatment plans at any time.
- Easier management of chronic conditions
Managing diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma often means regular check-ins with a healthcare provider. For people with busy schedules or mobility challenges, going to multiple in-person appointments can be frustrating. With telehealth, these follow-ups can happen virtually. You can:
- Check in with your provider from home
- Have your progress reviewed instantly
- Make adjustments to your treatment plan without the stress of travelling to a clinic
What services can you get through telehealth?
Although the exact service depends on the type of telehealth platform you are using, here are the common medical services you can get through most of the virtual platforms in Canada:
- Prescription and refills
Whether you need a prescription refill for birth control pills, a new prescription for Clindamycin, or a weight loss medication such as Wegovy, telehealth makes it easy to get prescriptions and refills. During a virtual appointment, a licensed healthcare provider can assess your symptoms, review your medical history, and determine whether medication is appropriate. Virtual care is commonly used for:
- Online antibiotics
- Antiparasitic medications
- Prescriptions for men’s health, such as a Cialis prescription
- Prescriptions for women’s health, such as Addyi in Canada
- Adjustments to existing medications (Mounjaro refill) based on symptoms or side effects
- Doctor’s notes
Instead of travelling, waiting in crowded waiting rooms, or risking exposure to others, virtual appointments allow you to get a doctor’s note for work or school from home. During the visit, the provider can assess symptoms and, when medically appropriate, issue a doctor’s note. This helps students and employees meet documentation requirements while following the Employment Standards Act to stay home when unwell.
- Lab test requisitions through telehealth
Telehealth can also help arrange lab tests when bloodwork or other diagnostic testing is needed. Instead of visiting a clinic first, you can see a doctor online, who will review your symptoms and issue a lab requisition for urine tests, STI screening, thyroid panels, cholesterol checks, or diabetes monitoring. You can take the requisitions to a major lab such as LifeLabs, Dynacare, or Alpha Laboratories, or a local testing centre.
- Nutritionist consults
You can get help with weight management, meal planning, managing chronic conditions, and food sensitivities without needing to travel to a clinic. Nutrition care through telehealth continues to offer flexibility, easier follow-ups, and ongoing guidance without forcing you to rearrange your entire schedule.
- Mental health counselling
You can get counselling for stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, grief, and emotional well-being from home. Online counselling provides privacy and consistent access to care, making it easier for you to get the support you need.
How Does Telehealth Work?
Telehealth works in various ways, depending on the type of care you need. Sometimes you’re speaking to a doctor right away, and other times you’re sharing information that can be reviewed later. Here are the three common ways telehealth is used:
1. Live conversations
It involves conversing with a doctor or nurse practitioner over video or phone, much like a regular appointment. You can discuss your symptoms, ask questions, and get medical advice in the moment without leaving your home.
2. Sharing information to be reviewed later
This includes sharing your medical history and symptoms through a secure system instead of talking to a doctor right away. A healthcare provider reviews this information later and follows up with advice.
3. Remote monitoring from home
Remote monitoring is about tracking your health over time. For example, you might use a blood pressure monitor, glucose meter, or mobile app to record your readings at home. This information is shared with your healthcare provider so they can keep an eye on your health and spot any issues early.
What is a telehealth appointment like?
No matter what type of telehealth system you choose, an online appointment is similar to visiting a doctor in person, but without the trip to the clinic. Instead of sitting in a waiting room, you connect with a healthcare provider from home using your phone, tablet, or computer. Here’s how it usually works:
- You create an account on a telehealth service
- You request an appointment, which may start right away or be scheduled for a later time
- During the visit, you and the provider talk through your symptoms, health history, and any medications you’re taking.
- If there’s something physical to look at, such as a rash, you can show it on camera
- Based on the assessment, the provider may make a diagnosis and, when appropriate, send a prescription, issue a doctor’s note, or arrange next follow-ups.
Telehealth in Ontario
There are multiple ways to access telehealth, whether you live in Toronto, Chatham, Sudbury, or a smaller community. Where you live doesn’t limit access, but how fast you’re seen often depends on the option you choose. You have the following options:
Health811 (formerly Telehealth Ontario)
Health811 allows Ontarians to call 811 or use online chat to speak with a registered nurse at any time, day or night. The service is available 24/7 and covered by OHIP, making it a common first step when you’re unsure what to do about a health concern.
OHIP-covered virtual urgent care clinics
Many telehealth services in Ontario offer OHIP-covered virtual urgent care through regional Ontario Health programs. These services are intended for non-emergency concerns and are available to patients with a valid Ontario health card. They can help with acute issues, but availability depends on your region.
Private telehealth services such as Your Doctors Online
Your Doctors Online is a paid telehealth option. It provides on-demand access to licensed Ontario healthcare providers. It is available across the province, whether you’re in a large city or a smaller community. You can choose this option when you want quicker care without waiting for publicly funded services.
Telehealth options in British Columbia, Alberta, and other provinces of Canada
Just like in Ontario, most provinces have an 811 health line you can call or chat with any time, day or night. You’ll speak with a registered nurse who can help you understand your symptoms and guide you on what to do next or where to go for care. Similarly, each province also offers public virtual care programs for people who don’t have a family doctor. Here is an overview of them:
| Province | Public Virtual Care Program |
| British Columbia | HEiDi |
| Alberta | Virtual MD |
| Nova Scotia | VirtualCareNS |
| New Brunswick | NB Health Link |
| Prince Edward Island | PEI Unaffiliated Virtual Care Program |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Virtual Priamry Care |
While these public virtual care options are a helpful alternative to in-person doctor visits, they don’t always guarantee same-day appointments. If you need quicker access to a licensed Canadian doctor, services like Your Doctors Online or other private telehealth options are available online 24/7.
Telehealth vs in-person care — When to use each
While telehealth is a great option for quick refills, sudden infections, and regular follow-ups without the hassle of waiting or travelling, an in-person visit is still important for emergencies.
When Telehealth Is the Better Choice
Telehealth is the right move when your doctor can provide a treatment plan based on a virtual assessment. For instance, it works well for:
- Treatment of cold/flu-like symptoms, allergies, and other minor illnesses
- Treatment for acne flare-ups, eczema, and other skin issues that you can show on camera
- Ongoing care check-ins
- Referrals without a family doctor, other medical documents
- Mental health counselling for depression, anxiety, and stress
When you should still see a doctor in person
However, online consultation may not be suitable for conditions that require a physical assessment or an emergency. This may include:
- Chest pain
- Severe shortness of breath
- Fainting, or stroke-like symptoms
- Severe abdominal pain, uncontrolled vomiting, or signs of dehydration
- Fractures
- Severe bleeding
- Deep cuts
In short, telehealth and in-person care are not competitors. The ultimate choice depends on your situation.
FAQS
Can telehealth prescribe medication in Canada?
Yes, Canadian-licensed doctors can prescribe most medications online at their discretion. This includes but is not limited to antibiotics, birth control pills, prescriptions for diabetes, and weight loss injections. However, as per the CPSO guidelines, telehealth providers cannot prescribe controlled substances such as narcotics and opiates.
Can telehealth in Ontario Prescribe Medication?
Yes, telehealth providers licensed in Ontario are eligible to prescribe most uncontrolled substances, such as Amoxicillin (and other antibiotics without seeing a doctor), Finasteride, and others when it’s medically appropriate. But, gabapentin, morphine, and other medications with a potential for abuse may require in-person assessment for prescription.
Is telehealth available 24/7 in Canada?
It depends on the telehealth service you are using. While not all providers are open all day, some telehealth providers, such as those from Your Doctors Online, are available 24/7, offering consultations at all times, including mornings, evenings, and even in the middle of the night.
