Important: This article is general information, not medical advice. Virtual care is not appropriate for every concern. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
What virtual care means in Alberta
Virtual care uses telephone, video, secure messaging, or other approved technology to connect a patient with a healthcare provider when they are not in the same place. For an Alberta family medicine practice, it is one way to begin a clinical conversation—not a shortcut around the need for an appropriate assessment.
A virtual visit can make it easier to discuss a non-urgent concern, review a result, continue a care plan, or decide what should happen next. Alberta patient guidance also notes that some needs still require in-person care. The physician considers the concern, available history, the limits of a remote examination, and whether another care setting is needed.
When a virtual visit may be a helpful first step
Some common family medicine conversations can begin virtually. Examples can include a minor illness, a medication question, review of a result, a follow-up conversation, a mental health concern, or a skin concern where an image and history may be useful. Whether a visit is suitable depends on the individual concern and the physician’s assessment.
Virtual care can be especially helpful when travel, mobility, distance, work, or caregiving make an in-person appointment more difficult. It can also help a patient understand whether an in-person examination, test, referral, urgent assessment, or a follow-up appointment is the better next step.
When in-person care is the better fit
Some concerns need a hands-on examination, testing, a procedure, urgent assessment, or a closer look than a virtual visit can provide. A responsible virtual-care service should say so plainly and help direct the patient to an appropriate local setting when possible.
A physician may recommend a clinic, laboratory, urgent care, emergency department, or another service after hearing more about the concern. That is not a failed virtual visit—it is part of using the right care setting for the situation.
What to expect from an Alberta virtual visit
Before and during a virtual appointment, the clinic may confirm your identity, your current location, the best number to reach you, and your consent to proceed. You should be able to ask questions about the visit and discuss whether a virtual format feels appropriate for you.
After discussing the concern, the care plan may include advice, monitoring, a prescription, a requisition, a referral, follow-up, or a recommendation for in-person care. None of these outcomes can be promised before the physician has completed an appropriate assessment.
Common patient questions.
Ready to start? For an eligible non-emergency concern, start your visit form when you are ready; the clinic reviews each request. Call 911 for an emergency or contact an appropriate in-person healthcare professional or care setting when the right setting is unclear.
How do I start an online doctor request in Alberta?
For a non-emergency health concern while you are physically in Alberta with active AHCIP, you can complete AlbertaMD’s short visit form. It starts clinic review and collects callback, location, and eligibility details only; the clinic reviews the request and contacts you about the next step; care and coverage decisions depend on review.
Can virtual care replace emergency care?
No. Virtual care is not an emergency service. For severe, rapidly worsening, potentially life-threatening, or other possible emergency symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department rather than waiting for an online request.
Continue with related Alberta guides.
These patient guides add context on virtual care, care navigation, and next-step preparation.
Learn more from Alberta resources.
These public resources offer additional context on virtual-care preparation, safety, and professional standards.
Ready to see a doctor?
Request a doctor call today.
For non-emergency health concerns only. For requests submitted during open hours, the clinic reviews each request and contacts you about the next step.