GuardMe Connections

Across Canada, many people are finding it harder to access primary care. Some do not have a family doctor. Others have one but cannot get an appointment when they need support. For students, staff, families and the institutions that support them, that gap can make everyday health concerns more stressful than they need to be.

GuardMe’s Digital Doctor helps eligible members connect virtually with a licensed medical professional for common, non-emergency health concerns. At this time, Digital Doctor is available through participating institutions, such as schools and partner organizations. It is not a replacement for a family doctor, but it can provide another pathway to care when people need timely guidance.

Canada’s family doctor shortage is part of a broader primary care access challenge. The issue is not only about the number of doctors available. It is also connected to population growth, physician burnout, administrative pressure, retirement, and changes in how family medicine is practised.

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, millions of people in Canada do not have a regular primary health care provider. CIHI also reported that more than 1 in 5 family doctors surveyed in Canada said they plan to stop seeing patients regularly within the next three years. 

For people trying to manage everyday health questions, that can mean longer wait times, more uncertainty, and greater pressure on walk-in clinics, urgent care centres and emergency departments.

CIHI reported that in 2024, approximately 5.7 million adults in Canada did not have a regular primary health care provider. Recent OurCare survey data also estimated that 5.9 million adults in Canada still lack reliable access to a regular family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care team. 

That means many people are navigating health concerns without a consistent first point of contact.

For students, newcomers, employees and families, this can create a difficult question: where do you turn when you need medical guidance, but your concern is not an emergency?

If you do not have a family doctor, your options may depend on where you live, your coverage and the type of care you need. Some people may use walk-in clinics, urgent care centres, nurse practitioner clinics, provincial health services or emergency departments for serious concerns.

Virtual care can also help bridge the gap for certain health needs.

For eligible GuardMe members at participating institutions, Digital Doctor provides virtual access to medical support for common, non-emergency health concerns. This can help members ask questions, discuss symptoms and understand possible next steps without having to navigate the health care system alone.

Virtual doctors can often help with common, non-emergency health concerns. Depending on the service, eligibility and the nature of the concern, this may include support with general health questions, symptom assessments, minor illnesses, prescription-related questions where appropriate, and guidance on whether in-person care may be needed.

Digital Doctor is designed to support timely access to care for eligible members through participating institutions. It gives people a place to start when they need help understanding what to do next.

Digital Doctor is not for medical emergencies. Anyone experiencing a serious or urgent medical issue should call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department.

No. Virtual care is not a full replacement for a family doctor or primary care team.

A family doctor can provide continuity of care, preventive health support, long-term monitoring, in-person assessment and a deeper understanding of a patient’s health history.

However, virtual care can help fill an important access gap. When people do not have a family doctor, or cannot get a timely appointment, services like Digital Doctor can help eligible members at participating institutions connect with medical guidance for common, non-emergency concerns.

At this time, Digital Doctor is available through participating institutions for eligible members. It is not currently sold directly to individuals.

If you are a student, staff member or covered member, check with your institution or your GuardMe account to confirm whether Digital Doctor is included in your plan.

Health access is not only an individual issue. When people cannot easily reach care, it can affect wellbeing, confidence, academic performance, work and day-to-day life.

For institutions, Digital Doctor offers another way to support the people they serve. By making Digital Doctor available to eligible members, schools and partner organizations can help reduce uncertainty when everyday health concerns come up.

This is especially important in environments where students, staff or community members may be away from home, new to the health care system, or unsure where to turn for help.

GuardMe’s role is to make support easier to access. Digital Doctor is one part of a broader health and wellness approach built around helping institutions connect their communities to the right support at the right time.

Canada’s primary care challenge is not going away overnight. As access remains uneven across the country, people need clear, practical pathways to care.

Virtual care is not the whole solution. But it can be a meaningful part of the support system.

For eligible GuardMe members at participating institutions, Digital Doctor helps bridge the gap between uncertainty and care. It gives people a way to speak with a medical professional about common, non-emergency health concerns and better understand their next steps.

For institutions, it provides a practical way to strengthen health and wellness support at a time when access to care matters more than ever.

Visit the GuardMe contact page to connect with our team and learn how Digital Doctor can support your health and wellness offering.