Welcome, Physicians & Allied HCPs
If you are interested in providing greater access to health care services to your patients by using telemedicine, please contact:
1.866.454.OTN2 (6862)
or email
hcpinfo@otn.ca
You will be speaking with one of the most experienced members of our team who can answer all of your telemedicine-related questions.
Did you know that as a physician or allied health professional practicing in Ontario, you can use the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) to improve access to patient care?
The Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that is funded by the Government of Ontario. “Telemedicine” (TM) is the delivery of health-related services and information using telecommunications technologies. OTN helps deliver clinical care between health care providers and patients via two-way videoconferencing systems and tele-diagnostic instruments like digital stethoscopes, otoscopes and patient examination cameras.
Working closely with physicians and allied health professionals, OTN is rapidly proving to be a better way to access quality clinical care & services for you and your patients. Our vision is to see telemedicine become a mainstream channel for health care delivery.
Did you also know that physicians can bill OHIP directly for telemedicine encounters?
Since April 1, 2008, physicians are able to bill OHIP directly for telemedicine encounters. The new system will make it easier for physicians to use telemedicine. Patients do not have to pay for telemedicine services. Click here for more information about telemedicine and OHIP.
Benefits of telemedicine
Among the many benefits of telemedicine, patients and health care providers often cite the following:
- timely diagnosis and treatment
- improved health outcomes
- reduced travel, time and expenses, and
- ability to receive care close to home
Telemedicine in practice
New and innovative opportunities to provide better access to care and services for patients are always in development. Common clinical uses of telemedicine include traditional patient referrals from family practice to specialists and from specialist to specialist. In addition, referrals to other allied health care specialists such as nurse practitioners, dieticians and speech language pathologists can also be made.
Recognized by professional governing bodies
Physician governing organizations recognize clinical practice via telemedicine. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) acknowledges that telemedicine enables patients to have greater access to care. Complete details of the CPSO Telemedicine Policy are available on the CPSO website.
Continuing professional education
In addition to direct patient care, the Ontario Telemedicine Network hosts continuing professional education events across a wide range of clinical specialties. Our Events Calendar lists available current and upcoming events.
The future is now
Telemedicine is changing the way healthcare and professional education is delivered in Ontario by bringing patients and their healthcare providers face-to-face, whether they are many kilometers apart or just around the corner. We’re working to ensure that telemedicine visits are as easy for healthcare practitioners to arrange and carry out as traditional visits that take place in an office.
Try telemedicine today
Over 2,000 health care professionals have added telemedicine to their practices because it allows them to access and provide timely care for their patients.
Please contact us at 1-866-454-OTN2 or hcpinfo@otn.ca to find out how to incorporate telemedicine into your clinical practice and explore our continuing professional education opportunities.