Reading Passage
Paragraph A
In 2007, the National Health Innovation Agency (NHIA), based at 90 Wellness Boulevard, Toronto, Canada, began exploring telemedicine as a solution to physician shortages in rural regions. At the time, nearly 18% of Canadians living outside major cities travelled more than 50 kilometres to access specialist care. Early pilot programmes focused on video consultations and remote diagnostic tools. Between 2008 and 2010, patient wait times in participating clinics were reduced by an average of 23%. These outcomes indicated that digital healthcare delivery could improve access while reducing strain on urban hospitals.
Paragraph B
Expansion of telemedicine services accelerated in 2011, when NHIA partnered with 62 community clinics across Ontario. Secure video platforms were installed, enabling consultations in cardiology, dermatology, and mental health. Usage data showed that by 2014, over 480,000 remote consultations had been completed annually. The cost of installing telemedicine equipment averaged CAD 21,000 per clinic, funded through provincial healthcare budgets approved in October 2010. Surveys revealed high patient satisfaction, particularly among elderly users.
Paragraph C
Despite rapid growth, implementation challenges emerged. A 2013 audit found that 41% of healthcare professionals required additional training to use telemedicine systems effectively. Concerns were also raised about data security and inconsistent internet connectivity in remote areas. Furthermore, some physicians expressed reluctance, arguing that virtual consultations limited physical examinations. To address these issues, NHIA introduced mandatory training modules in 2014 and invested CAD 38 million in upgrading broadband infrastructure in underserved regions.
Paragraph D
Federal support further strengthened the programme after 2016. The Canadian Health Infrastructure Fund allocated CAD 520 million to expand telemedicine nationwide. By 2019, telemedicine services were available in 78% of public hospitals, and emergency department visits in participating regions declined by 12%. These improvements demonstrated that remote healthcare delivery could complement traditional services rather than replace them entirely.
Paragraph E
The benefits of telemedicine extended beyond healthcare access. A 2020 economic analysis conducted by the University of British Columbia estimated annual savings of CAD 410 million due to reduced patient travel and lower hospital admissions. Environmental assessments also noted a 6% reduction in healthcare-related transport emissions between 2017 and 2021. Additionally, insurance providers reported a 9% decrease in claim costs related to delayed treatment, according to data from Maple Leaf Health Insurance.
Paragraph F
Future developments aim to integrate artificial intelligence into telemedicine platforms. NHIA plans to deploy AI-assisted diagnostic tools by 2029 to support early detection of chronic diseases. As of March 2024, approximately 52% of Canadian healthcare facilities regularly used advanced telemedicine systems. Pilot projects are scheduled to begin in Halifax and Regina in 2026, with the long-term objective of achieving nationwide coverage by 2038.
Questions 1-4: Matching Headings
Instructions: Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list below. Write the correct Roman numeral.
List of Headings
i. Economic and environmental advantages
ii. Early attempts to address rural healthcare gaps
iii. Challenges related to skills and infrastructure
iv. Widespread adoption supported by national funding
v. Growth in service use and clinic partnerships
vi. Future integration of intelligent medical systems
Question 1: Paragraph B
Question 2: Paragraph C
Question 3: Paragraph D
Question 4: Paragraph E
Questions 5-8: True/False/Not Given
Instructions: Write TRUE if the statement agrees with the information, FALSE if it contradicts, or NOT GIVEN if there is no information.
Question 5
Telemedicine pilots initially focused on audio-only consultations.
Question 6
Elderly patients reported high satisfaction with telemedicine services.
Question 7
All doctors supported the introduction of virtual consultations.
Question 8
Telemedicine led to a reduction in emergency department visits.
Questions 9-12: Table Completion
Instructions: Complete the table below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
| Category | Detail | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Patient access | Travel distance reduced | kilometres |
| Clinic setup | Average installation cost | CAD |
| National coverage (2019) | Public hospitals | percent |
| Economic impact | Annual savings | CAD million |
Questions 13-16: Sentence Completion
Instructions: Complete the sentences below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Question 13
Early telemedicine pilots reduced patient wait times by percent.
Question 14
Remote consultations exceeded per year by 2014.
Question 15
Mandatory training modules were introduced in .
Question 16
Transport emissions related to healthcare fell by percent.
Questions 17-19: Summary Completion
Instructions: Complete the summary below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Telemedicine in Canada was introduced to improve access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas. Although challenges included limited among staff and connectivity issues, government funding supported nationwide expansion. Economic studies highlighted significant cost savings and reduced environmental . Future plans involve the use of artificial intelligence to enhance accuracy in remote diagnostics.
Questions 9-13: Short Answer Questions
Instructions: Answer the questions below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Question 9
Where is the National Health Innovation Agency located?
Question 10
How many community clinics partnered with NHIA in 2011?
Question 11
Which university conducted the 2020 economic analysis?
Question 12
What percentage of healthcare facilities used advanced systems in 2024?
Question 13
By which year is nationwide telemedicine coverage expected?