5 Best Telehealth Services in Vancouver
Let’s be honest: getting to the doctor’s office is not always the most convenient experience. You’d have to deal with traffic, and it’s almost always impossible to find parking. Then you’d have to wait in a crowded waiting room.
Well, we’re here to tell you: no more of that! We found out about telehealth services and just how many clinics and hospitals offer them nowadays, and we’re here to share with you some of the best telehealth services in Vancouver.
Vancouver’s Best Telehealth Services
It’s no surprise that more and more of us are using telehealth services to maintain our health and well-being.
That’s exactly why we’ve assessed the following establishments based on the criteria below to see whether they provide accessible, safe, and high-quality telehealth services in Vancouver.
1. Viva Care Telehealth Inc.
CRITERIA | RATING |
Doctor Expertise | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Service Quality | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
• Video and Audio Quality | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
• Security and Privacy | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
• Technical Support | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
• Appointment Scheduling | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Multi-Language Support | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Dr. Garry Saran and Gary Prihar, founders of Viva Care Telehealth, decided to open their own multidisciplinary clinic in 2008, and they’re available seven days a week.
Our favorite aspect of this clinic is that patients can consult with the same doctor via video or phone call and can also see the same doctor in person at one of their clinics.
We believe that this makes it easier for patients to receive consistent care and build a strong rapport with their doctor.
Viva Care Telehealth’s services include routine health assessments, prescription renewals, comprehensive analysis of laboratory findings, medical advisory sessions, and the evaluation of symptoms.
Another thing we liked was that their doctors are fluent in multiple languages, including English, Cantonese, French, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, and Tagalog, among others.
Aside from that, they provide an “Rx Delivery Program” where patients can have their medications delivered for free! Simply choose Plitio Pharmacy as your pharmacy of choice when scheduling your appointment.
Viva Care Telehealth has also been featured in prominent media outlets, such as Business Vancouver, Red 106.7 FM, and CBC News. In the end, we believe all these factors make them one of the best telehealth services in Vancouver.
Pros
- Open seven days a week
- Multilingual doctors
- Free prescription delivery
Cons
- Some complaints about responsiveness
Patient Reviews
Accommodating and punctual
“Can’t believe I got an appointment in only one day for my son. although video calls were not available to me they called me on the phone on time, with alternative solutions to a problem…”
-Anna V.
Very convenient service
So convenient, book an appointment online in the morning or afternoon and get an appointment that day usually within few hours…”
-Alison L.
2. Rockdoc Virtual Travel Clinic
CRITERIA | RATING |
Doctor Expertise | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Service Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
• Video and Audio Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
• Security and Privacy | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
• Technical Support | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
• Appointment Scheduling | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Multi-Language Support | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
With its headquarters in Vancouver, Rockdoc operates throughout Canada and North America to provide accessible and urgent healthcare services. They’re the go-to for travel health consultations and prescriptions.
How it works is that once you book a telehealth appointment with them, their doctors will conduct a comprehensive consultation to understand your medical history, which we thought was very thorough of them.
Then, they will discuss the health risks of wherever you’re headed and have your prescription faxed to a local pharmacy.
We also thought it was pretty convenient that they give clients the choice of collecting their prescription or having it mailed directly to them.
We also liked that they give out referrals for pharmacies in your area that have the medications you need in stock, so you don’t have to spend time searching for a pharmacy on your own.
We’re just a bit sad to know that their telehealth services are only available five days a week, as we feel that access to healthcare should be available seven days a week.
Overall, we think Rockdoc is one of the best telehealth services in Vancouver if you’re planning to travel abroad and want to make sure you have access to medical assistance.
Pros
- Ideal for travel prescriptions
- Discount for two or more travelers
Cons
- No multilingual services
Patient Reviews
Friendly and inviting
“I was so happy with my experience here at Rockdoc! The nurse and the receptionist were extremely friendly and inviting. Easy to book last minute appointments! Thank you girls.”
-Jo B.
Smooth process
“My Rockdoc appointment turned out to be a smooth and interesting one. The receptionist was jovial and helpful.The nurse was prompt, interesting and caring. I would recommend this clinic to anyone.”
-Paul O.
3. Vancouver Coastal Health
CRITERIA | RATING |
Doctor Expertise | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Service Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
• Video and Audio Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
• Security and Privacy | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
• Technical Support | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
• Appointment Scheduling | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Multi-Language Support | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) specializes in complex care and services for people throughout BC, and they operate 13 hospitals all throughout the province.
They use numerous tools for their telehealth services, such as video conferencing, email, and text messaging, which we thought was unique.
We think this makes their services more accessible, as some patients may not have access to one or more of these communication tools.
We also appreciate that they provide a detailed breakdown of how to join VCH Zoom meetings for patients. We think this is very helpful, especially for those who may be unfamiliar with using video conferencing platforms.
It’s also very impressive that VCH can address a wide range of medical concerns through telehealth, which includes specialties such as primary care, mental health, and even certain specialized fields like dermatology or cardiology.
We also think it eases the minds of patients to know their personal information is safe, as VCH ensures secure and encrypted connections for all Zoom meetings.
Moreover, many of the patients we’ve spoken with have commented on how courteous their doctors are and how comfortable they feel discussing their health concerns on a virtual platform.
All in all, if you’re looking for a reliable telehealth service in Vancouver, we believe VCH is a great choice.
Pros
- Uses video, email, and text conferencing
- Strict privacy policy
Cons
- Frequently booked
Patient Reviews
Thoroughly takes care of patients
“They are nice and thoroughly take care of patient.”
-Yan P.
Courteous staff
‘Excellent services, the staff with an excellent human quality and very courteous. Thank you for opening this clinic near this area. it was necessary.”
-Yadira C.
4. Oakridge Medical Clinic
CRITERIA | RATING |
Doctor Expertise | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Service Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
• Video and Audio Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
• Security and Privacy | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
• Technical Support | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
• Appointment Scheduling | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Multi-Language Support | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
For more than two decades, the Oakridge Medical Clinic has provided comprehensive healthcare to diverse age groups and a wide spectrum of health conditions.
Doctors here specialize in a wide range of medical specialties, including internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, nutrition, geriatrics,dermatology, and mental health.
Oakridge Medical Clinic’s telehealth services are pretty straightforward, as they only use Doxy.me or Zoom, which are platforms known for their user-friendly interfaces and secure video conferencing capabilities.
Aside from the usual telehealth services, such as general health consultations, we liked that they’re also able to accommodate follow-up consultations for chronic, ongoing health conditions.
In our opinion, this makes their services more comprehensive, as they’re able to address various health issues.
However, one criticism we encountered was that they didn’t have an online booking system, as patients had to call the office to book a telehealth appointment.
We also didn’t like that their telehealth services are only available to existing patients. But we do understand the reason behind this, as it allows them to prioritize their current patients and maintain continuity of care.
Nevertheless, we thought the Oakridge Medical Clinic deserved a spot on our list. They use easy-to-use and secure video conferencing software for their telehealth appointments and are able to address various health issues.
Pros
- Wide range of medical specialties
- Comprehensive telehealth services
Cons
- No online booking system
Patient Reviews
Amazing team
“Best ever. Delivered our son during the olympics, amazing team since then as well. Well worth the wait if need be! Dr JC, amazing.”
-Carl S.
Great physicians
“Best physician ever. No doubt from Commercial to Oakridge a Golden Globe award.”
-Angie V.
5. WELL Health Virtual Clinics+
CRITERIA | RATING |
Doctor Expertise | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Service Quality | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
• Video and Audio Quality | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
• Security and Privacy | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Customer Service | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
• Technical Support | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
• Appointment Scheduling | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Multi-Language Support | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
WELL Health Virtual Clinics+ is a telehealth platform where you can choose a Canadian doctor that best suits your needs, allowing for more flexibility and convenience in accessing healthcare services.
It immediately caught our attention that this platform allows you to potentially connect with your own family doctor. But hey, if you don’t see ’em, you can easily tell them to sign up with WELL Health Virtual Clinics+ and start providing virtual consultations.
It also eased our worries that their telehealth services are 100% secured with bank-level encryption. We think this gives clients peace of mind, knowing their personal information is safe.
We also liked that they have a wide variety of doctors who have various specialties and can speak different languages. In our opinion, this ensures that patients can find a doctor who meets their specific needs and preferences.
It’s also very convenient that they will have prescriptions and renewals delivered to your door for free, anywhere you may be in Canada.
Additionally, the majority of the patients we’ve talked to note how easy they found it to navigate the platform and schedule appointments.
Ultimately, we think WELL Health Virtual Clinics+ is a great choice for telehealth services. They have an easy-to-use and secure platform where patients can access a wide range of healthcare professionals.
Pros
- Secure with bank-level encryption
- Free prescription and renewal delivery anywhere in Canada
Cons
- Some complaints about audio and video quality
Patient Reviews
User-friendly platform
“I used this service for the first time today. Amazing service and a very user friendly platform! I highly recommend it.”
-Jana F.
Quick and effective service
“Used it for the first time today for my husband to speak to a doctor about his earache, what a great service! Prescribed some treatments quickly and he didn’t have to put himself or anyone at risk during quarantine. Great service!.”
-Virginia M.