Addictions treatment is significantly more accessible for Manitobans since the provincial government announced $450,000 in new funding to support the development of the Digital Front Door health services platform.
The online platform enhances patient access to existing Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) clinics currently located in Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson, Selkirk, and Portage la Prairie.
“Manitobans struggling with addictions need access to timely supports from trained professionals who can help,” says Bernadette Smith, Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness. “The new Digital Front Door platform is an innovative approach to increasing access to RAAM clinics that offers another option for those who may face barriers to attending in person for any reason.”
Using any smartphone, tablet, or computer, individuals can access a virtual “walk-in” experience without having to make an appointment.
The brick-and-mortar RAAM clinics are by drop-in only, treating patients on a first-come, first-served basis for substance use and addictions.
According to Smith, these clinics fill up quickly.
The new virtual clinic is intended to help remove barriers for those needing addiction services. Individuals will see reductions in travel time and transportation costs. It also eases concerns resulting from the fear of addiction stigma.
Dr. Erin Knight works with Shared Health and is the medical lead for the RAAM clinics.
“By introducing the Digital Front Door, we are further reducing barriers to care that people may experience in accessing addiction services, including physical distance from clinics, and providing more options for making the initial contact with RAAM,” says Knight. “While there may still be a need for an in-person assessment, many aspects of RAAM services including history, overview of treatment options, harm reduction education, and connection to counselling are well suited to virtual care.”
Clinicians working in RAAM can also assist in the treatment of substance-related health issues such as hepatitis, pancreatitis, or infections and provide harm reduction supplies such as Naloxone.
