N.L.-based health care company launches new online service, hoping to create better access to primary care

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ProActive Wellness Centre has launched a new service that aims to address the shortage of primary care providers and reduce strain on the health-care system.

ProActive On Demand, which launched on Nov. 8, is an online platform offering virtual medical appointments with family doctors via phone or video call.

Kate Rowe, communications and employee relations manager, said they were inspired to launch the service after hearing from “hundreds” of patients who were complaining about the lack of access to care.

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“Weve all heard the many stories of people waiting 15-plus hours in the ER for a prescription, simply because they have no other options for receiving care,” said Rowe.

“We are hoping by launching ProActive On Demand, we will be able to offer solutions to those in need of acute care.”

‘Accessible to many people’

ProActive Wellness Centre is a health-care company offering various services, such as physiotherapy, massage therapy, mental health services, family physicians and more, throughout several locations in N.L.

Due to the lengthy wait times to see a family physician that many people in the province face, Rowe said, they wanted to utilize their roster of doctors to not only allow someone to get in with a primary care provider but also allow them to receive timely care.

All physicians under ProActive On Demand are family medicine certified.

“We want ProActive On Demand to be accessible to as many people as possible to ensure that care can be received by those in need,” said Rowe.

“All physicians that are working with ProActive On Demand are increasing their availability to ensure on demand services do not interfere with their current practice.”

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How it works

ProActive On Demand is a completely free service and is covered under MCP. The only criteria for booking an appointment is a valid MCP card.

The way that the service works is quite simple, said Rowe.

Anyone needing an appointment can visit the ProActive On Demand website, click ‘book now,’ fill in your information and select an appointment time.

“Then you wait for a phone call from one of our family doctors,” said Rowe.

While the platform is user-friendly, she knows not everyone is good with technology or even has the internet, and because of this, they are continuing to offer walk-in appointments at their Kenmount Road and Galway clinics.

“We often have a minimum of two clinic days per week for in-person appointments. This is always an option that we have available to patients looking for care,” said Rowe.

Providing the same care, virtually

Though ProActive On Demand may be new, Rowe said having their physicians provide care virtually isn’t.

Because of their experience, Rowe said they can provide the same level of care through these sessions as they would in-person.

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“That said, if a physician feels a patient should be seen in-person, they will do what they can to make arrangements for this to happen,” said Rowe.

Open to government partnership

The service can manage most primary care issues but it isn’t a measure to replace all medical needs.

The point of this service, she said, is to do their part in increasing access to primary care. It’s hoped ProActive will be able to take it a step further and partner with the provincial government.

“We have many ideas on how collaborative health-care teams can succeed, virtually and in-person, as we have been executing this practice in our clinics since 2016,” said Rowe.

Rowe also hopes to expand the service and recruit more physicians to further increase access.

“Our mission has been and always will be to enhance the quality of life and well-being, for all,” said Rowe.

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