RTVS’s Instant Access and Quick Reply 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.

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 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