Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS)

Rural providers in BC (physicians, midwives, residents, nurse practitioners, nurses etc.) can connect with on-call Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS) peer pathway providers at the click of a button. The virtual providers support the work of healthcare teams over Zoom or through a phone call and are available around the clock.

“It’s a game-changer. I don’t know that I would be doing rural ED work without it. It makes me sleep at night knowing there is someone on the other end of a phone who can support me in a non-judgmental way. So much of the difficulty of rural ED is the isolation. For the cases I am unsure of, that don’t fit into life threatening or a simple discharge, the opportunity to speak with a friendly, helpful doctor is really valuable. This service is the only dependable way I have for these conversations.”

Rural physician

Achievements

Increased reach

The reach of the RTVS peer pathways continued to grow, with 134 rural, remote and Indigenous communities having used the service as of March 2023, an increase of 24 rural communities since the same time the year before.

Provided Most Responsible Provider (MRP) support

RTVS continued to provide Most Responsible Provider (MRP) support to emergency departments (ad hoc) and nursing stations (24/7) in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. Between April 2022 and March 2023, nursing stations received support from the peer pathways with about 5,700 encounters with 1,300 patients.

Six rural emergency departments received support from RUDi_MRP with about 300 interactions during more than 1,200 hours of coverage. This overnight Emergency Department coverage ensured that hospitals did not go on diversion. The coverage also supported recruitment in those communities and ensured that in-community physicians with unsustainable call burdens did not burn out.

Produced 'The Edge of Care' documentary film

The RTVS team partnered with the Educational Technology (EdTech) team at UBC Faculty of Medicine on the production of a new documentary film. The Edge of Care follows the story of community leaders, elders, artists, knowledge keepers, medical trainees and physicians as they work together to deliver equitable healthcare to the most remote and rural communities in British Columbia. A main focus of the film was the impact that RTVS had on communities. Through stunning visuals and in-depth interviews, the 20-minute film brought viewers into the lives of people who live and work in these communities. The film was completed in March 2023 but premiered in April 2023.

Held the first RTVS in-person provider gathering

The RTVS team held its first-ever provider gathering. The three-day, in-person event from March 3-5 in Victoria, BC, featured meetings, brainstorming sessions, cultural safety training and storytelling.

It allowed virtual physicians, the operations team, the leadership team and partners to discuss ways to further advance our “How can I help?” culture and ensure on-the-ground providers are supported so they can continue to enhance health equity for rural British Columbia.

Education, coaching and simulation

RTVS delivered a number of education, coaching and simulation opportunities for rural providers.

A total of 32 MaBAL Coaching Sessions were held in the 2022/23 fiscal year. In addition, virtual NRP Refreshers were delivered to two communities and virtual ACoRN Refreshers were delivered to three communities. The RTVS leadership took part in Compassionate Leadership with Shawn and Heather Atleo. In addition, the program supported the following cultural safety and humility sessions: The Art and Science of Cultural Safety and Humility, Nawh whu’nus’en – We see in two worlds: Trauma sensitive practices for collectively healing in relationship Debrief, and Blanket Exercise.

Explore the Numbers

134 Communities accessing RTVS

Providers in a total of 134 rural communities have called RTVS for support.

32 MaBAL Coaching sessions

Midwives from the MaBAL team have provided 32 coaching sessions for nurses supporting labour and delivery in rural areas.

1300 Patients

Nursing stations received support from the peer pathways with about 5,700 encounters with 1,300 patients.

6 Rural emergency departments

received support from RUDi_MRP with about 300 interactions during more than 1,200 hours of coverage.

Making a Difference

The Edge of Care film premieres

Card showing RTVS as a Quality Award winner.

RTVS named 2023 BC Quality Award winner

Trauma case highlights critical role of Real-Time Virtual Support

Virtual doctors and learners team up to support rural communities

Rural critical care pathway lead joins RTVS family

RTVS given surge line boost

“The biggest impact is that I feel less worried and more supported, which I think improves the long-term sustainability of my work. In addition, RTVS has made it easier for me to get locum providers to cover me, because they feel more supported/ capable of providing newborn care with MABAL/CHARLiE support. RTVS allows me to reserve calling our in-community GP with pediatric experience for when I need an in-person consultation. That may sound like a small thing, but it is actually a HUGE support for me and the GP pediatric provider (who isn't paid for being on-call and has an extremely heavy workload).”

Rural physician

Plans for the Future

RTVS is in a state of continuous development in response to community and physician feedback as new needs and opportunities emerge. The program has created new processes to meet the growing demand for the pathway supports, includes the establishment of a virtual MOA forwarding service as well as surge capacity for busy hours. Now more than three years in operation, RTVS is in the process of achieving long-term integration into the healthcare system.  