Table 4.

Economic Considerations and Supporting Quotes

Theme	Quotes
Government support	Edmonton physician, “I'm concerned that they could probably have utilized that money going to TELUS and used it to a better fashion in our present clinics to manage patients (virtually).” (The Edmonton Sun, March 21).
	President, Doctors of BC, “…We're pleased that government has agreed to expand virtual care fees to include telephone services as well as suspend the daily volume limit. This includes consultations, office visits, and non-procedural interventions - for any health concern patients are wanting to see their doctor for.” (The Globe and Mail, March 17)
Provider	Ontario physician, “…he should be able to give advice and adjust prescriptions by telephone, rather than make these vulnerable patients come into his office for a face-to-face meeting.” (Waterloo Region Record, March 12)
	Ontario physician “…(delayed compensation for telehealth) dissuades people from this model. [It] is really mixed messaging.” (The Toronto Sun, April 28)
	Nova Scotia psychiatrist, “This (excluding mental health services) discriminates against patients with mental health problems and the psychiatrists who treat them.” (Chronicle—Herald, March 23)
	Alberta physician, “If a doctor completes 40 calls in one day, this would be $800, which is not enough to sustain a practice with staff, rent and bills.” (The Edmonton Sun, March 17)
	Asclepios Medical Centre in Ontario, “The closure is the result of the clinic simply not having the resources to sustain the increased operational costs and decreased revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.” (The Ottawa Citizen, June 1)
	Alberta physician, “I am very grateful that the Alberta government has made these changes and is willing to work with the Alberta Medical Association.” (The Medicine Hat News, March 25).
Patient	Private insurer, “Now everyone with plans administered through HBT [Health Benefits Trust] will have these virtual care appointments - but only for preexisting conditions. PBC [Pacific Blue Cross] will only cover subsequent visits, not new injuries.” (The News, April 2)
	Physiotherapist, “…she had run into situations where a client's insurance covers the appointment, but they can't afford to make the payment and get reimbursed later.” (Kings County Record, April 28)