Policy Brief - Considerations for virtual services and supports for substance use and concurrent disorders

From February - April 2021, the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, the Canadian Psychological Association and Canada Health Infoway,  and the Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) collected national data on the experience and perceptions of virtual services and supports for substance use and concurrent disorders provided during COVID-19, including education and access to health care or treatment.

Two-thirds of those who had used virtual services reported satisfaction with the services they received. However, among those who had not used virtual services, there were concerns about effectiveness, privacy, and security of these services.

Notably, young people reported a lack of private spaces to access virtual care, while adults 55+ were more likely to report technological barriers to virtual care. Women using virtual services were more likely than men to report that they wanted to return to in-person services post-pandemic.

Access the full report, Considerations for Virtual Services and Supports for Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders.