Most Canadians say employer should offer virtual health care: survey

The majority (70 per cent) of Canadians said they believe virtual health care represents the future, according to a new survey conducted by Environics Research and sponsored by Dialogue.

The survey also found the demand for more convenient virtual-care services is on the rise, with nearly half (46 per cent) of respondents saying the coronavirus pandemic has made it more difficult to access health care.

In addition, 82 per cent of respondents said their employer should provide access to virtual health care, while 66 per cent said they’d be likely to use virtual health care if it was available through their workplace benefits plan.

Read: ‘New reality’ of workplace includes virtual health care, enhanced mental-health support: survey

“Keeping employees safe and providing the appropriate care for their teams is expected from employers now more than ever,” said Jeff Gladwish, vice-president of marketing at Dialogue, in a press release. “Employers are recognizing that providing employees with access to quality health and well-being resources has a direct connection to workplace productivity as well as the overall health of their business.”