Rural providers in BC can connect with on-call RTVS peer pathway providers over Zoom or over the phone for clinical help. Our Instant Access pathways are staffed by friendly, compassionate physicians who understand the rural context. Our five Instant Access pathways are RUDi (Emergency), MaBAL (Maternity & Newborns), CHARLiE (Pediatrics), ROCCi (Critical Care and Internal Medicine) and VERRa (overnight hospital support).  RUDi is available 24/7, with ROCCi available from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific Time seven days of the week.  As of December 1, 2025, MaBAL and CHARLiE, are available overnight, from 7:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time. This is a temporary transition, with efforts underway to reinstate a 24-hour service. Please see RTVS Service Update for more information. VERRa is available at select sites. We also have 11 RTVS Quick Reply peer pathways that are available weekdays during business hours.

RTVS virtual providers are eager to help with both urgent and non-urgent cases and questions, including:

• case consultations;
• second opinions;
• ongoing patient support;
• patient simulation scenarios;
• help navigating the healthcare system;
• coordinating patient transport;
• point-of-care ultrasound.

Calling an RTVS virtual provider is like calling a friend. They offer friendly, compassionate, non-judgmental, and culturally safe support while understanding the context of providing care in rural places.

RTVS peer pathways help ensure that rural healthcare providers are properly supported and rural patients receive more equitable access to healthcare. More specifically, RTVS pathways:

• Establish collegial relationships between RTVS virtual providers and rural healthcare providers to facilitate team-based patient care and build a stronger community of practice.
• Increase confidence, and reduce isolation, of healthcare providers who provide patient care in rural, remote, and First Nations communities in British Columbia.
• Increase mentoring and educational opportunities for rural healthcare providers—especially new-to-practice physician residents.
• Improve the recruitment and retention of rural healthcare providers.
• Increase availability and access to timely, quality healthcare services for patients in rural, remote, and First Nations communities, reducing their risk, time, and expense traveling for medical appointments.
• Offer a cost-effective and sustainable model for British Columbia’s health system needs.

Health human resources shortages are felt most acutely in rural settings. By supporting the communities at the edge, RTVS can bolster rural healthcare and prevent the downstream effect of tertiary hospitals getting an extra influx of patients. To prevent the erosion of support for rural sites, RTVS peer services will focus their support on rural patients and providers.

RTVS exists thanks to a strong commitment from all partners to use virtual technology to enhance provider wellness and patient care. In addition to the Rural Coordination Centre of BC, the RTVS family includes:

• BC Ministry of Health
• UBC Digital Emergency Medicine
• UBC RCPD
• First Nations Health Authority
• Provincial Health Services Authority
• Northern Health
• Interior Health
• Island Health
• Vancouver-Coastal Health