Description:

This session will showcase two groundbreaking initiatives that aim to address the significant healthcare disparities faced by children in rural and Indigenous communities of British Columbia. Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS) programs, including CHARLiE, provide immediate virtual healthcare and training to communities without local pediatricians. The Sustaining Pediatrics in Rural and Underserved Communities (SPRUCe) network coordinates in-person pediatric care to remote areas of BC, while also supporting connections between pediatric residents and rural pediatricians. Participants will discuss the feasibility and impact of these initiatives, reflect on healthcare inequities, and advocate for national collaboration and workforce planning to address the needs of rural and Indigenous communities. Join us to learn how these innovations are improving access to essential pediatric care in BC.