Doctors worried about ‘splintering’ of health system as virtual care comes online – CBC

NLMA wants to know how much Teladoc physicians will be paid

Oct 31, 2023

Doctors in Newfoundland and Labrador are questioning a plan to use a private company to provide virtual physician coverage — and are warning about the potential for damage to primary care and the patients that rely on family doctors.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association wants to know how physicians working with a company called Teladoc Health will be paid, how much they’ll earn, and how the new services they provide will be integrated with the current system.

President Dr. Gerard Farrell said he also has concerns about the increasing use of private companies to provide health-care services.

“We’re seeing more and more privatization in health care because we are seeing more and more gaps in the delivery of health care and that opens opportunities for private companies,” Farrell said in an interview.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-nlma-virtual-care-1.7013607