I am a patient, how do I get a referral to a specialist? Your family doctor or nurse practitioner needs to send us a referral letter by e-fax.
What if I don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner? You can ask a doctor or nurse practitioner from a walk-in clinic or virtual doctor to refer you through our platform.
Which specialists can I assess through your platform?We are building a list of participating specialists and family doctors, and we hope to have as many specialists as possible. At the moment we are focusing on mental health specialists.
Do I need to be enrolled in the medical services plan to access doctors on the platform?Yes, you need to be registered with your provincial health insurance provider to access services from our doctors.
Which healthcare providers are available on the platform? Specialists like psychiatrists will be available from the start. Counselors and psychologists will also be welcome to join the platform as providers. Family doctors and nurse practitioners who wish to refer patients to a psychiatrist, counselor, psychologist, or other specialists are encouraged to send us a fax.
Is there a charge for patients or healthcare providers to join the platform? No, at the moment there is no charge for patients or healthcare providers to join the platform.
Where is my personal information stored? We do not store your personal information on this website. Your personal information will be stored by Jane and stored on their cloud storage service provider: AWS (Amazon web services) in compliance with existing personal information protection laws in Canada.
How do I know your doctors are registered and in good standing with the medical college? Our participating doctors and specialists go through a verification process that authenticates their registration details with their respective medical colleges.
Who bears liability when there is a medical error or malpractice from your doctors?Each medical provider will bear full responsibility for any medical errors or malpractice arising from their consultations with a patient. Shared Cares will not be liable for any damages arising from these interactions. Please read our terms and conditions carefully.
How will you use my personal information? Your personal information will not be used for any commercial or non-medical purposes without your full consent. Your medical and personal information will only be shared with your referring provider or any other individual or entity to whom you have granted written authorization.
How many times can I see a specialist on your platform? A specialist will see you for a consultation and treatment plan and the report will be sent to your referring provider. Subsequent visits will not be necessary unless your referring provider seeks another consultation after six months. A follow-up appointment may be needed within six months if we need more time to complete your assessment.
How many times can I see a counselor or psychologist on your platform? You can see a counsellor or psychologist as many times as you wish provided you meet your obligations to the provider.
Do I have to pay to see a counselor or psychologist? Yes, you will have to pay to see a counselor or psychologist if their services are not covered under your provincial health plan.
Do I have to pay to see a specialist? No, you will not have to pay a specialist as long as the service is covered under your provincial health plan.
Can I see a doctor from another province? You must be registered under the health plan of the province where your doctor is practicing. Doctors must be registered in the province where the patient they see is located.
How is this different from a virtual doctor or online doctor? This service connects your primary care provider with a specialist. The importance of having longitudinal care with a provider who knows you well cannot be over-emphasized. The open channel of communication within the platform ensures that your primary care provider continues to have access to the specialist even after your initial consultation has ended. If you are seeing a counselor through the platform, the ability to have a psychiatrist supporting your counselor ensures that any psychiatric emergency can be tackled quickly before you require hospitalization.