2MDOpinion delivers world-class medical second opinion from top specialists, giving patients clarity and confidence in just days, not months
Written By: Hesam Seyedi | September 15, 2025
Before COVID, virtual doctor visits were almost unheard of. Then everything changed.
In Ontario, 71.1% of primary care visits went virtual at the height of the pandemic compared with just 1.2% before.
What began as an emergency workaround quickly became the new normal. Patients who once doubted virtual consultations discovered they could be just as personal and reliable as in-person visits.
That early trust also opened the door to using virtual platforms for second opinions — something that’s now saving time, reducing stress, and even changing diagnoses.
So the real question is: are virtual consultations with doctors truly as good as sitting across from them in an exam room? The data says yes.
Trying something new in healthcare usually takes years of convincing. Not this time. During the pandemic, 91% of Canadians said they were satisfied with virtual care, and 42% wanted it as their first point of contact with a doctor .
That level of satisfaction is rare in healthcare surveys. It shows patients didn’t just tolerate virtual visits, they embraced them. Many even preferred the comfort of their living rooms to crowded waiting rooms.
High satisfaction is the clearest proof that virtual consultations aren’t a downgrade. For a lot of Canadians, they’re now the first choice.
Patients weren’t the only ones surprised by how well virtual care worked. Doctors were too. In fact, over 70% of Canadian physicians say virtual consultations improve access, quality, and efficiency of care, and 94% continue to use them post-pandemic .
That’s a powerful signal. If doctors, who are often cautious about change, see real benefits, it means virtual consultations aren’t just convenient — they’re clinically effective. Physicians found that they could reach more patients, cut down on missed appointments, and still provide the level of care people expect.
When both patients and doctors agree something works, it usually sticks. Virtual consultations are no exception.
| Category | Data Point | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario Primary Care Virtualization | 71.1% of primary care visits were virtual during the pandemic peak (Mar–Jul 2020), vs. 1.2% pre-COVID | Infoway Insights |
| Patient Satisfaction | 91% of Canadians satisfied with virtual care during the pandemic | Statistics Canada |
| Patient Preference | 42% preferred virtual as first doctor contact | Statistics Canada |
| Physician Support | Over 70% of Canadian doctors say virtual care improves access/quality, 94% use it post-pandemic | CIHI |
| Modality (Canada) | 78% of visits are by phone; 18% by video | Infoway Insights |
| Why Patients Stick With Virtual Care | 41% cite time savings, 26% cite shorter wait, 22% cite convenience | Statistics Canada |
| Age Divide | Canadians under 45 more likely to embrace virtual care | CMA |
| US Virtual Market Size | US$12.2bn market size (2022), nearly 30% annual growth expected | Grand View Research |
| Virtual Second Opinion: Impact | 67% of Cleveland Clinic virtual second opinions led to a change in diagnosis/treatment | Cleveland Clinic |
| Virtual Second Opinion: Market | US virtual second opinion market projected to reach $7bn by 2024 | MyAmericanDoctor |
When most people imagine a virtual doctor visit, they think of a Zoom-style video call. In reality, it’s usually simpler. About 78% of virtual visits in Canada happen by phone, while only 18% use video .
That matters. Phone calls make care accessible even for patients who don’t have reliable internet or feel uneasy with video technology. Video is growing, but the takeaway is that the technology doesn’t need to be fancy for the care to work.
Virtual consultations succeed not because of high-tech platforms, but because they remove barriers and make seeing a doctor easier.
So why didn’t patients rush back to waiting rooms once clinics reopened? The reasons are straightforward. Canadians say they choose virtual consultations for time savings (41%), shorter wait times (26%), and convenience .
That means less time off work, fewer long drives, and no hours spent flipping through old magazines in crowded lobbies. For many people, the choice is obvious: virtual visits fit better into real life.
Healthcare that saves time and stress is healthcare people actually want to use.
Not everyone adopted virtual consultations at the same pace. Canadians under 45 were much more likely to embrace virtual care, while older patients took longer to adjust .
Younger patients often see virtual visits as natural extensions of their digital lives. For older Canadians, the shift required more trust and comfort with technology. But over time, many found the convenience outweighed the learning curve.
As younger generations age, their habits will shape the future of healthcare. Virtual care isn’t just a passing trend — it’s becoming the norm.
Canada isn’t the only country seeing this shift. In the United States, the virtual visits market was valued at $12.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow nearly 30% each year through 2030 .
That kind of growth shows virtual consultations aren’t a Canadian experiment. They’re part of a global movement toward faster, more flexible healthcare. Patients everywhere want the same things: less waiting, more access, and care that fits into their lives.
Virtual care is becoming a permanent fixture worldwide — and Canada is keeping pace.
One of the biggest tests of trust in virtual care is whether patients are willing to use it for second opinions. The answer is yes — and the results are powerful. At the Cleveland Clinic, 67% of virtual second opinions led to a change in diagnosis or treatment plan .
That means patients are not only getting peace of mind but also life-changing new options. Instead of waiting months or traveling long distances, they can upload scans and records online, connect with a specialist, and get answers that shape their care.
If virtual care can deliver this level of impact for second opinions, it proves it can stand shoulder to shoulder with in-person visits.
The momentum behind virtual healthcare isn’t slowing down. In fact, the virtual second opinion market is projected to reach $7 billion by 2024 in the United States .
That kind of growth signals where the future is headed. More patients will expect the option to consult virtually, whether for routine check-ins or complex second opinions. Doctors and hospitals will keep expanding digital services, not as a backup plan but as a core part of healthcare delivery.
For Canadians, this means greater choice and faster access to expert care. The question isn’t whether virtual consultations are as good as in-person. The data shows they already are — and they’re only getting better.
Why wait weeks for an appointment when you can talk to a doctor tomorrow? Virtual consultations give Canadians faster access, trusted advice, and even second opinions that can change treatment plans.
If you’re in Canada and need answers, don’t sit in uncertainty. Book your virtual consultation today through 2MDOpinion.com/ca and get the care you deserve, right from home.
