ItB次元官网网址檚 been just shy of a month since pharmacists were given the green light to prescribe treatments for 21 common ailments in B.C. B次元官网网址� and new data is shedding light on how popular this move has been across the province.
Data from Medimap shows an 18-per-cent increase in web searches for the common ailments
As of June 1, B.C. pharmacists were given the ability to prescribe treatments for several common infections, acne and allergies.
Medimap is an online service where users select the type of care theyB次元官网网址檙e seeking and their location, and are then given a list of healthcare professionals or clinics near them. Medimap also provides pharmacies that can offer treatments to those who initially search for a walk-in clinic, with the hopes of mitigating clinic traffic and lessening the burden on the provinceB次元官网网址檚 healthcare system.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a one stop shop for a primary care marketplace where patients can go based on symptoms,B次元官网网址� said Michel Gaudette, the vice-president of partnerships and business development at Medimap.
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According to MedimapB次元官网网址檚 2022 data on clinic wait times, the average wait time for walk-in patients in B.C. was 79 minutes, more than double the national average at the time.
B次元官网网址淣ow the patient has a choice: you can either go wait three hours at the walk-in clinic or go to a pharmacy,B次元官网网址� Gaudette said.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e starting to provide additional awareness messages. If someone is looking for a walk-in clinic in their neighbourhood and either itB次元官网网址檚 unavailable or the wait time is long, thereB次元官网网址檚 a pop up that says B次元官网网址榙id you know pharmacists can treat for minor ailments?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
Gaudette said Medimap is also working closely with the B.C. government, and that the 811 HealthLinkBC toll-free number will refer callers to the website for care options.
B次元官网网址淚n B.C. specifically, weB次元官网网址檙e trying to go up to the table and work with the government hand in hand. IB次元官网网址檝e proven to them that weB次元官网网址檙e getting more traffic than their pages on the programs that are released,B次元官网网址� he said.
Medimap is also running a pilot project in Winnipeg in partnership with the local health authority, posting walk-in clinic wait times in hospital vicinities for non-emergent patients to have information of alternate care with less wait times.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the different features and services and things we see that can contribute in reducing the burden. Not by taking from the healthcare system, but by really taking advantage of the capacity that exists in the system today with no visibility to it.B次元官网网址�
