Table 1.

Guide to virtual care channel selection.

Virtual care channel	Ideal patient	Ideal conditions	Nonideal conditions
Video	Has access to required technology and the internet Is comfortable with using video technology Has no physical/sensory/cognitive disabilities that would limit videoconference use (unless supported by family and/or friends)	All clinical conditions or encounters that do not need hands-on physical examination Follow-up of test results Counselling Discussing treatment options Discussing prognosis Follow-up of symptom severity	Workup of complex physical conditions needing physical hands-on examination for diagnosis and therapeutic planning
Secure messaging/email/chat	Has access to email/chat Is comfortable with using the modality Has physical or sensory disabilities that make video conferencing/in-person/telephone difficult Has a busy work schedule	Follow-up of routine test results that are normal and do not require intervention Answering patient questions about medications Conditions that need very frequent ongoing follow-up Communication regarding upcoming test results	Initial encounters with patients Workup of new symptoms, especially complex ones Discussing complex diagnostic/therapeutic plans Initiating new treatments that are complex Breaking bad news Providing prognostic information on major medical illness
Telephone	Has barriers to technology/internet access Lacks comfort using video technology	Follow-up of test results Follow-up of symptom severity Follow-up of treatment response Counselling Discussing treatment options Treatment titration Discussion of prognosis	Initial encounters with patients Workup of new symptoms, especially complex ones