What Virtual Naturopathic Care Actually Looks Like

It’s completely understandable to have questions about virtual care. Can you really build a relationship with a practitioner through a screen? What happens if something comes up that needs to be assessed in person? Is virtual care actually enough?

These are all fair questions, and ones I’ve thought about myself.

So I wanted to share a bit more about how my virtual practice works, what virtual care can and can’t do, and why I ultimately chose to build my practice this way.

Virtual care went from impossible to necessary

When I started medical school, virtual care was barely even part of the conversation. There was a common belief that you couldn’t provide good (or safe) care through a screen.

Then COVID happened.

Within weeks, virtual care went from something that was often questioned to something that was necessary. For many people, it was the only way they could access care at all. I personally experienced this from both sides. I was using virtual care as a patient while also completing much of my own training through a screen.

This was the experience really changed how I viewed virtual care.

In-person care has its strengths. There is a different kind of connection that comes from sitting across from someone, and there are certainly situations where being in the room together matters.

But virtual care has its own strengths too. It removes many of the barriers that can get in the way of someone accessing care in the first place.

The hours you get back

I work with a lot of busy people, and I think this is one of the biggest advantages of virtual care.

Driving to an appointment, sitting in traffic, finding parking, and paying for it can easily turn what should be a one-hour appointment into a three-hour afternoon. With virtual care, you can join your appointment at the scheduled time and, when it’s over, step right back into your day. Whether you're at home, at the office, or wherever you happen to be.

That can make a huge difference when your schedule is already full.

Whether you’re a mom, a business owner, an executive, someone without easy access to transportation, or simply someone who feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day, removing those extra barriers can make getting care feel a lot more manageable.

Connection still translates

When I’m sitting with someone over video, I can still listen just as closely, have the same conversations, and really be present with them. The difference is that the appointment doesn’t come with all of the extra logistical weight around it.

The platforms I use are also designed specifically for healthcare, so the experience is private, secure, and simple to navigate. You don’t need to be particularly tech-savvy or figure out anything complicated. You just show up for your appointment.

What if something needs to be done in person?

This is probably the question I get most often, and my answer is pretty simple: if I think something needs to be assessed or done in person, I will refer you to someone who can do that.

But a lot of what people assume requires an office visit actually doesn’t.

Bloodwork is a good example. I can send your requisition virtually, and you can have it done at a lab near you, whenever works best with your schedule. There’s no need to make a separate trip to my office just to get a piece of paper or have bloodwork arranged.

Why my practice is built this way

This is what allows me to work with patients across Ontario, rather than only the people who live close enough to drive to my office. It’s a big part of why I chose to build my practice this way in the first place.