The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is welcoming the Quebec government's decision to expand access to telemedicine at a time when strong measures are needed to deal with COVID-19.

The CMA says that “government reimbursement for telemedicine consultations is an excellent way to make care accessible to the whole province as Quebec residents are being asked to limit travel and stay home where possible. The CMA hopes that access to telemedicine will become more widespread in the future, and not just in times of crisis, as more than two thirds of medical follow-ups can be conducted virtually.”

In February, the CMA and its partners, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and The College of Family Physicians of Canada, published a report on virtual care in Canada. The report can be accessed here.