Models of care toolkit
About this section
This section provides general information on how cancer programs can support the delivery of equitable care by capitalizing on digital innovations and navigation tools.
Virtual care and patient navigation
Advances in virtual care and patient navigation have the potential to improve the efficiency of care delivery, thereby increasing system capacity and sustainability. When designed and implemented in a way that aligns with cultural, language, and practical needs of equity-deserving communities these tools can help achieve equity in access, experiences and outcomes for populations including First Nations, Inuit, Métis, people with low income, those who are part of a racialized community or those who live in rural and remote areas.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated challenges in care delivery and widened inequities of care. These factors reinforce the importance of exploring innovative models of care that optimize resources and enhance the delivery of person-centred care.
Enabling implementation
Digital innovations in virtual care and patient navigation tools and programs have the potential to enhance person-centred care delivery, access to specialist services and delivery of care in line with people’s beliefs and values and are critical to implementing models of care. Virtual care, digital health and patient navigation were identified by partners as being key enablers in the implementation of models of care.