Survey says …: Saskatchewan wants more feedback on virtual care

The Saskatchewan government is still seeking feedback on virtual care, so it’s extending a survey on the subject for another two weeks.

The survey, which was announced March 8, initially was to expire Saturday.

Virtual care became a popular option for some patients and health-care providers in Saskatchewan due to COVID-19.

As of Friday, more than 2,160 people had taken the survey and more than 750 had participated in the poll.

According to the government, 84 per cent of respondents so far had said the quality of their experience with virtual care was good or excellent. As well, 73 per cent of health-care providers said they could provide quality care using virtual care.

“We’ve received some excellent feedback and ideas from Saskatchewan residents, and we want to encourage an even higher level of participation,” Everett Hindley, the province’s minister of mental health and addictions, seniors, and rural and remote health, said in a release.

“It would be great to hear from about 500-1,000 more people and to gain more diverse perspectives, especially from northern, rural and remote residents, people under 30 and seniors over 70.”

The survey is available online here or by calling 306-787-6750. The phone line will be available from 8 a.m., to 5 p.m., Monday to Thursday. To participate via email, people can send a request to virtualcare@health.gov.sk.ca.

“The information gathered will be one of many tools used to develop a long-term provincial strategy around virtual care,” the release said. “The province is also seeking input from health system partners and other affected organizations on their experience using virtual care over the past two years.”