The purpose of this study is to examine Canadian physicians’ use of virtual health-care visits through three modalities – telephone, secure messaging and videoconferencing – before and after COVID-19. This study evaluates physicians’ perceptions of the usability of these modalities and measures the influence of six perceived behavioral factors on physician satisfaction, drawing on the proposed virtual care-physicianism model (VCPM) informed by Library and Information Science theory.
Using secondary data from the 2018 Canadian Physician Survey (n = 1,393) and the 2021 National Survey of Canadian Physicians (n = 2,071), this study addresses three research questions linked to corresponding hypotheses. Statistical analyses – including Z-tests, chi-square tests, multiple regression and hierarchical regression – were applied to assess changes in virtual care usage (Hindsight–Insight) and evaluate the conceptual, human and technical dimensions of the VCPM (Oversight).
The results of this study reveal a substantial increase in virtual care adoption, particularly videoconferencing (10.5% in 2018–50.4% in 2021). Usability scores in 2021 ranged from 2.68 to 4.23, with satisfaction differing significantly by age, gender and practice type. The VCPM explained 64% of the variance in satisfaction with virtual care. Key predictors included Perceived Work–Life Balance, Perceived Quality and Perceived Efficiency, underscoring the importance of integrating conceptual, human and technical factors to sustain adoption.
This study uniquely traces the evolution of Canadian virtual care within a pre-/post-pandemic framework, integrating Library and Information Science perspectives into health-care research. By combining national survey data with interdisciplinary theory, it offers a comprehensive resource for academics, policymakers and practitioners aiming to enhance physician satisfaction and sustain virtual care services.
