What telehealth is
Telehealth — sometimes called virtual care — is the delivery of healthcare services using phone, video, and secure messaging instead of (or in addition to) an in-person visit. A licensed Canadian clinician will review your intake information and, where appropriate, communicate with you to assess, advise, prescribe, or refer.
What it is not
- It is not emergency care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency — chest pain, suicidal thoughts, severe bleeding, trouble breathing — call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
- It is not a guarantee of prescription. Your clinician may decline to prescribe, or may refer you elsewhere, if the visit is not clinically appropriate.
- It is not a replacement for your primary care provider. We encourage you to share visit summaries with your family doctor.
Benefits
- Faster access to a licensed clinician without needing to travel.
- Convenient written follow-up you can refer back to anytime.
- Reduced exposure to in-person healthcare settings.
Limitations and risks
- Some conditions require an in-person physical exam — your clinician will tell you if this is the case and refer you appropriately.
- Technology can fail. We will contact you to reschedule if a technical issue prevents your visit from completing.
- No transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We use industry-standard encryption and access controls, but you should take reasonable care with the device and network you use.
How your information is used
Your intake answers, clinical notes, prescriptions, and message history are stored in a secure, Canadian-hosted medical record. Only your assigned clinician(s), authorized MedVibe operations staff (for technical support and billing), and regulators exercising lawful authority can access this information. We never sell your personal health information. For full details, see our Privacy Policy.
Your rights
- You may refuse or discontinue telehealth care at any time without affecting your right to in-person care.
- You may request a copy of your health record or ask us to correct an error.
- You may file a complaint with your provincial regulator; contact information is provided on request.
Prescriptions
Where a prescription is clinically appropriate, your clinician will send it to the pharmacy of your choice. Controlled substances, narcotics, and certain classes of medications are not prescribed through MedVibe.
Consent
When you start a MedVibe intake, you are asked to confirm consent to telehealth care. By confirming, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this document, that you have had the opportunity to ask questions, and that you agree to receive care virtually under the terms described above. A timestamped record of your consent is kept in your file.