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.

141
Rural communities using RTVS
65
percent of calls come from nursing stations in remote, Indigenous communities
34
The average number of queries per RUDi shift
RTVS has been a huge benefit to my practice and to patient care. The physicians we consult teach and work in a collaborative way making the consults effective and positive experiences. Our assessment skills are valued and utilized daily. I can’t say enough good things about RTVS.
Rural Physician
RTVS Instant Access and Quick Reply peer supports
RTVS’s Instant Access and Quick Reply peer pathways are for physicians, residents, nurse practitioners, nurses, midwives—and, in some cases, first responders—in rural, remote, and First Nations communities in BC. RTVS virtual providers on these peer support pathways provide rural healthcare teams with free and friendly support at the click of a button for all urgent or non-urgent patient cases, including: case consultations, second opinions and ongoing patient support, patient transport coordination, point-of-care ultrasound, and simulations.
Rural providers have 24/7 Instant Access to pathways for Emergency (RUDi), Pediatrics (CHARLiE), and Maternity and Newborn (MaBAL). In addition, several Quick Reply pathways — Dermatology, Hematology, Myofascial Pain, Rheumatology, Thrombosis and Neurology — are also available weekdays during regular business hours.
The RTVS family also includes pathways for patients to access. Find out more about the patient pathways here.
Calling RTVS is like calling a friend. We are here to support you whenever you need us.
Benefits of RTVS
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.
RTVS Poster
The Real-Time Virtual Support Poster is aimed at helping physicians, midwives, residents, nurse practitioners, nurses and other providers in rural, remote, and First Nations communities navigate through the RTVS pathways. It includes all the information needed to connect with virtual physicians when providers need their support. Download and print the poster for your rural site.
Instant Access Pathways
Quick Reply Pathways
RTVS Partners
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 Emergency Medicine Network
- UBC Digital Emergency Medicine
- UBC RCPD
- Providence Healthcare
- First Nations Health Authority
- Provincial Health Services Authority
- Northern Health
- Interior Health
- Island Health
- Vancouver-Coastal Health
- Fraser Health