Canadian telemedicine is a revolutionary way of providing medical care without requiring the doctor to directly administer treatment to the patient. Instead, care is provided via phone, Internet, or some other form of communication link. Canadian telemedicine is popular particularly in large areas of the country that do not have enough physicians to serve their population.

If you are interested in finding ways to offer Canada telehealth services to your employees or your patients, here are few things to get you started:

1. Learn about the different types of telemedicine in Canada that are already established and available.
2. Find firms that provide Canada telecare technology and identify those that support Canada telehealth services and solutions.
3. Look for companies that can provide specialized Canadian telecare services to meet your individual needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research the Canadian telemedicine services currently available

Before you consider hiring or starting a telecare service, first explore what services are already being offered, and take advantage of any educational opportunities you discover.

I recommend: Health Canada has done quite a bit of work providing Canada telehealth services, especially to the First Nations and Inuit people. They currently have regional offices serving seven provinces, helping to make Canadian telecare a reality. The Canadian Society of Telehealth (CST) provides educational opportunities throughout the year, as well as a yearly conference for those interested in providing Canadian telecare services. Although not specific to Canada, the International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth (ISfTeH) provides educational opportunities, reports and good practice models to give you an idea of what your Canadian telecare service might look like.

Check out companies that provide Canada telemedicine services and solutions

Although the field of telemedicine is still fairly new, there are many companies that offer a wide range of services to struggling physicians. Examine some of these companies to see how they can work for you.

I recommend: Digital Telehealth Incorporated provides consulting and training services to get your telemedicine project off on the right foot. Because they are based in Canada, telehealth service start-ups might be easier with their help than with another firm. ViTel Net provides home monitoring systems as well as a referral or second option telemedicine solution. AMD Telemedicine provides the equipment your business will need to start providing telehealth in Canada. Among their products are diagnostic devices like special cameras and stethoscopes. They also provide on-site training and video conferencing so you can learn more. GlobalMedia Group provides equipment and software to help link your practice to patients who cannot get to your office.

Find companies to help you with Canadian telecare services in specialty fields

Many areas of medicine are in desperate need for the type of help Canadian telecare services can provide. Mental health and radiology are two specialties that have embraced the technology of telemedicine to bring care to those who might otherwise go untreated or undiagnosed.

I recommend: The Canadian Association of Radiologists has established standards on teleradiology that you should review before hiring a company. Some firms offering Canada teleradiology options include NightForce Radiology and NightShift Radiology. Psychiatry is one of the first medical specialties to widely use telemedicine, and the continuing shortage of qualified psychiatrists makes telepsychiatry a popular option in Canadian telemedicine. Check out the University Of Toronto's Psychiatric Outreach Program to find ideas on how you can use telecare technology and telepsychiatry to help your patients.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Telemedicine in Canada can never replace face-to-face interaction between a doctor and patient, but it can be used to augment your services or company benefits, and to better reach those individuals who aren't getting proper medical care.