The technological shift in medicine continues in Quebec, while after a few months of trials in targeted regions, teledermatology will be available throughout the province as of July 4.
This was announced by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, during a press conference Monday afternoon at the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CHUM), in the company of various stakeholders. middle.
The first teledermatology pilot projects began in March with a very limited number of physicians in three regions – Laval, Laurentides and Lanaudière. About sixty cases have been processed, and on the strength of the positive response from doctors, the various partners say they are ready to expand access to the entire province.
From July 4, the Virtual Care Platform (PSV) will therefore be accessible everywhere. It will allow general practitioners to take photos of their patient’s problem areas of skin and submit them confidentially to dermatology specialists.
Reduce waiting times
In less than two weeks, the general practitioner will receive an answer from the specialist and will be able to continue the collaboration with his patient, without the latter having to wait several months for an appointment in person with the specialist.
The promise: significantly reduce waiting times for the thousands of Quebecers who struggle to get an appointment with a dermatologist because their condition is not considered urgent. Currently, approximately 80,000 people are waiting to get an appointment with a dermatologist in the province.
Access to telemedicine will be voluntary, both for the patient and for the general practitioner. The president of the Association of Dermatologist Specialist Physicians of Quebec, Dr. Dominique Hanna, however, invited all doctors to use the platform when it becomes available, seeing in this project a little revolution that is coming.
The Canadian Press
The Canadian Press
Source: Radio-Canada
