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Virtual Care for Cancer Patients to Distant Specialists in Canada

Marina AstapchikMarina Astapchik
Marina Astapchik
Digital Content Manager
January 24, 2020

Virtual care for cancer patients is remote oncology support using digital tools that connect patients with specialists. It is designed for patients in rural areas, busy clinics, and follow-up care. Using oncology virtual care, care delivery management solutions, and AI software development services, healthcare professionals can expedite consultations, obtain second opinions, and monitor symptoms, improving treatment outcomes and reducing travel delays across Canada.

By 2026, oncology virtual care adoption in Canada will exceed 65%. With healthcare software development services, platforms enable patient triage, remote monitoring, and e-consultations, reducing wait times by approximately 30% and improving treatment adherence.

 

 

Choose virtual care for cancer patients with a trusted telemedicine app development company to expand access, speed diagnosis, and improve survival rates in Canada.

 

Virtual Care Platform for Cancer Patients as the Right Solution 

To analyze the general features of the virtual care platform, let’s look at the future of cancer treatment using the OTN virtual care solutions as an example. The Ontario Telemedicine Network is an independent, nonprofit organization founded by the government of Ontario, Canada, which is accelerating the development of virtual care for cancer patients by researching the following technologies in healthcare delivery:

  • video/audio conferencing, text messaging;
  • virtual visits/eVisits, eConsults and eRefferals;
  • remote patient monitoring technologies like Telehomecare;
  • wellness apps, web-based health solutions;
  • health monitoring devices;
  • electronic medical records
  • patient portals.
  • OTN divides virtual patients care solutions into team managed virtual care and self-managed virtual care.

Team managed virtual care for cancer patients includes:

  • eVisit or a virtual visit service for primary care and regular appointments connects cancer patients with their doctors either from home on their own devices or from the telemedicine room in the medical center using telehealth networks for secure virtual visits.
  • The “eConsult program” ensures that healthcare providers receive remotely additional recommendations from allied health professionals for proper care, which is very important for such a complex disease that can affect any organ spreading metastases.
  • The “Virtual Palliative Care program” is the possibility of connected care with palliative care teams at home for patients with oncology, avoiding unnecessary trips to the medical center.
  • Telehomecare is a virtual care platform that allows you to monitor the patient’s condition using remote monitoring technology to prevent physical deterioration.

Self-managed virtual care includes:

  • Online Mental Health Support network is a wellbeing service for free anonymous online psychological support for cancer patients and family members to help manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.
  • The Immunization Records Tracker System is a healthcare application that provides access to personal immunization information and vaccination schedule, wherever you are on your Smartphone.

Thus, on the example of The OTN solution, we see comprehensive approach to ensure cancer patients quick and effective access to medical care through technological innovation.

Benefits that Virtual Care Brings to Patients

When a cancer patient has access to a virtual care platform, this facilitates the course of cancer treatment and improves his quality of life:

  • Virtual care provides patients with solutions that allow them to stay at home receiving primary/episodic consultations;
  • Patients can access practitioners and allied health professionals 24/7 on-demand or on a schedule;
  • Virtual visits reduce costs, stress, and travel/parking time, especially for those living in rural areas;
  • Road risks are reduced for patients with a suppressed immune system, frail or elderly people;
  • Relatives do not need to miss working hours to accompany the patient to appointments, as they can join video visits anywhere.

Digital Healthcare Providers in Canada

When analyzing digital healthcare solutions in Canada, the Champlain BASE eConsult Service, a web-based service for virtual visits to primary care, as well as the Livecare Teleheath Platform, owned and operated by physicians, are worth mentioning. The platforms are considered Canada’s leading telehealth providers with extensive virtual care expertise that prove the effectiveness of virtual medical assistance. We can also mention Akira Health, Novari Health, Telus Health, Equinoxe LifeCare, and AlayaCare here as the significant healthcare platform providers in Canada.

More than 60% of Canadian healthcare institutions are using virtual care platform for cancer patients, improving access in remote areas. Virtual oncology reduces wait times by up to 30% and increases treatment adherence by approximately 20%.

Another related platform in Canada that combines modern technology and effective remote psychological assistance is the NexHealth Cancer Coaching program, in which cancer coaches work with cancer survivors and their families to meet the challenges of cancer, achieve their goals in health and wellness, and improve quality of life.

Common Virtual Care Platform Features

Surfing through and analyzing the mentioned above digital healthcare solutions, we tried to choose the most useful and typical capabilities for such platforms that empower clinicians to provide virtual care appointments and facilitate the patient’s experience. The most common portal features:

  • Participation in virtual visits in real time through audio / video conferences with multiple participants;
  • Physician-to-physician video consultation and referrals to relevant specialists;
  • Secure text messaging technologies;
  • EMR (Electronic Medical Record) integration for adding and managing patient records and medical history;
  • Scheduling to book and coordinate virtual consults;
  • Diagnostic support tools, such as file, video and image sharing, access to pre-visits diagnostics results;
  • Payment System Integration;
  • Generation of Prescriptions and provision of personal patient education;
  • Access to the results from remote patient monitoring wearable.

No wonder that Canadians value virtual care for cancer patients and find it convenient and time-saving, since e-consultation improves access to practitioners without leaving your home using portable devices. 


Oncology virtual care in Canada faces challenges related to fragmented systems and delays in accessing specialists. Elinext is building a virtual care platform for cancer patients, leveraging patient portal software development services to integrate data and workflows. This reduces delays, improves coordination, and leads to better clinical and financial outcomes.

Elinext software development expert

 

Conclusion

Virtual care for oncology patients provides faster access to specialists and coordinated care. By 2025, approximately 70% of Canadian cancer centers were using virtual tools (CIHI). With EHR software development company support, medical device software development services, and a virtual care platform for cancer patients, healthcare providers are improving monitoring and reducing hospital visits by approximately 20%

New era medical cure implies the intention to provide more affordable up-to-date healthcare services to anyone, anywhere, anytime, thanks to telemedicine technology. Unsurprisingly, an illness such as cancer, that is hard to diagnose and long to treat, is one of the most popular diseases that healthcare on-demand providers try to accompany remotely. And the oncology virtual care is a prime example of the prompt delivery of medical care today and in the future, which improves the overall health care system.

For this purpose, virtual care portals connect the patient and the physician with healthcare software that can be used on their own devices. It can also facilitate physician-to-physician interaction. As the use of virtual services grows, it becomes apparent that custom software development companies will continue to develop virtual care portals and CRM solutions for healthcare providers.

Virtual Care for Cancer Patients: Terms Explained

  • Teleoncology

Teleoncology is the remote provision of medical care to cancer patients using digital communication tools. It enables consultations, monitoring, and treatment planning without in-person visits, improving access to expert oncology care.

  • Remote Monitoring

Remote monitoring is the continuous tracking of a patient’s health data from home. In oncology, it helps identify symptoms early, manage side effects, and adjust treatment plans in real time.

  • Video Consultation

Video consultation is a virtual meeting between a patient and a doctor in real time. In oncology, it allows for diagnosis discussion, treatment review, and monitoring without travel.

  • Second Opinion

A second opinion is an additional expert review of a cancer diagnosis or treatment plan. Virtual tools allow patients to quickly consult with remote specialists and increase confidence in their decisions.

  • Patient Portal

A patient portal is a secure digital platform for accessing medical data. Cancer patients use it to view results, message doctors, schedule appointments, and track treatment progress.

  • Symptom Management

Symptom management includes monitoring and treating cancer-related side effects. Virtual tools help monitor pain, fatigue, and nausea, enabling timely intervention and improving quality of life.

  • Telepathology

Telepathology is the remote analysis of pathological samples using digital imaging. Specialists view slides online, speeding up diagnosis and providing expert assessments in multiple locations.

FAQ

What is virtual care for cancer patients?

Virtual care for cancer patients is remote support for cancer patients using digital tools. It is used to connect patients with specialists. Companies use it to expand access, for example, for consultations in rural areas.

Who can benefit from virtual oncology consultations?

Virtual care for cancer patients remote consultations and treatment support. It is used by patients in rural areas, the elderly, and for follow-up care. Healthcare institutions use it to improve access, for example, for home care.

Which types of cancer care can be managed virtually?

Oncology virtual care is the digital delivery of oncology services. It is used for consultations, monitoring, and follow-up care. Clinics use it to remotely manage chemotherapy.

Is virtual care safe and effective?

A virtual care platform for cancer patients is a secure digital system for delivering medical care. It is used to manage data and visits. Medical institutions use it to ensure safe and coordinated care.

What are the limitations of virtual cancer care?

Oncology virtual care is the remote delivery of oncology services. It is used to improve access, but its limitations include the lack of physical examinations. Medical institutions are using hybrid models to balance care.

Can virtual care replace in-person visits?

Virtual care for cancer patients is digital support in oncology. It is used for consultations and monitoring. Physicians use it as a supplement, not a replacement, for in-person visits when needed.

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